What are you doing?

Martin is working with the newly formed Anglican Diocese of Goma as the Vicar General, supporting Archbishop Ande with the pastoral and administrative oversight of the diocese. He is also involved in theological education in the diocese and leads the theology commission for the Anglican Church of Congo. After 6 years as regional funding co-ordinator for Tearfund, Anthea has a new job as country director for Give Directly.

What languages do they speak?

French is the official language. Kituba, Swahili, Tshiluba, and Lingala are the country's four national languages. There are over 200 other languages. We have all learned or brushed up on French and Martin and Anthea have had some Swahili lessons and much of life in the east of Congo happens in Swahili.

What is Goma like?

Goma is a city of around 2 million people on the north of Lake Kivu, on the border with Rwanda. With constant monthly temperatures of 20-25 degrees and 1200 mm rainfall per year, the city is surrounded by fertile green hills. It even has its own cheese, Goma cheese, a bit like Gouda. Goma is one of the fastest growing cities in the world, having grown fourfold in 25 years. Along with an influx of displaced people, it is also a rapidly developing city, with new supermarkets, bars and restaurants opening monthly.

Conflict in North Kivu

Both the Rwanda Genocide of 1994 and the Congolese Wars of 1996-2003 sent many seeking refuge in North Kivu in general and Goma in particular. DRC President Tshisekedi declared a ‘state of siege’ in the east of Congo in May 2021, replacing civilian rule with military rule in an effort to bring an end to 30 years of violence. However, with significant wealth to be made from minerals, 120 armed groups operating in the region and the economic interests of DRC’s neighbours, peace seems as far away as it ever was. MONUSCO, the $1 billion / year UN peace-keeping force is headquartered in Goma, but its mandate is due to end in 2023. Much of the population see it as expensive and ineffective in controlling the conflict.

What about the volcano?

For the last century Mount Nyiragongo has erupted every 20-25 years. In 2002 it sent lava through the centre of the city and into Lake Kivu, destroying 40% of the city, including more than 4,500 houses and buildings and 1 km of airport runway. Many of the city’s roads and buildings have been rebuilt with black volcanic rock, with increasing Chinese investment since 2011. In May 2021 it erupted again, thankfully stopping short of the airport and inflicting little damage and loss of life on the city. More harm was caused by the lava destroying crops, the earthquakes that accompanied the eruption and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of residents. Living in the shadow of the volcano is a daily reality for residents of Goma.

Tourism in Goma

With Lake Kivu and milder temperatures than some surrounding regions Goma used to be a favourite holiday destination of French and Belgian colonialists. It has recently been designated the tourist capital of DRC. It is uniquely built on a lava flow, in the shadow of a volcano boasting the world’s largest lava lake and spouting a constant plume of ash. However, the main attraction is Virunga National Park with the gorillas, about an hour’s drive away. And, as of 2014, an art gallery. Check out Tripadvisor for a taste.