New book about Goma

Goma is a fascinating city of around one million people caught up between volcanic eruption and armed conflict. Capital of Congo’s North Kivu Province, it is living hell for some but a city of promise for others. In contrast to dominant discourses, this book relates the population’s attitudes about well-being, resilience and opportunity. Resigned and hardened by struggle, they give the impression that life is neither beautiful nor ugly, but an unending skirmish with destiny.

Based on twelve personal narratives, we recount the story of an urban landscape in an authentic and humanizing way. The revelations are sometimes agonizing, often surprising but always full of meaning. This qualitative approach helps make sense of this vast enigma of a city and the relationships between the population and their economic, social, ecological, political and religious environments.

This new book is an invitation to discover the intimate feelings and multiple realities of ordinary people determined to define their future.