I am Congo
I Am Congo Video series
This groundbreaking series features amazing people living their lives in eastern Congo amid the world’s deadliest war.
These are stories of hope. These are stories of the people who call Congo home — in their own words.
Produced and directed by Robert Padavick
Filming, editing and animation by Jeff Trussell
Introducing 'I Am Congo'
The Activist
The Artist
The Human Rights Lawyer
The Conservationist
The Community Builder
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Introducing 'I Am Congo'
I Am Congo Video series
This groundbreaking series features amazing people living their lives in eastern Congo amid the world's deadliest war. These are stories of hope. These are stories of the people who call Congo home -- in their own words.
Produced and directed by Robert Padavick
Filming, editing and animation by Jeff Trussell -
The Activist
Fidel Bafilemba: Fidel Bafilemba has been many things: rebel fighter, breadmaker, translator, just to name a few. Today he's a family man and prominent activist in Goma, eastern Congo, working to shake up the status quo and replace a culture of corruption and conflict with education. -
The Artist
Petna Ndaliko: Artist and filmmaker Petna Ndaliko is the founder of Yole! Africa, a sanctuary of art, music and expression for youth in Goma. Every year in the battered, war-weary Congolese provincial capital -- a place with few paved roads, let alone a theater -- Petna pulls together a film and music festival drawing crowds in the thousands. -
The Human Rights Lawyer
Denise Siwatula: Human rights lawyer Denise Siwatula fled a volcanic eruption with just her law book. She returned home to Goma, eastern Congo, becoming an advocate for rape survivors. She is a lawyer for Synergie, a coalition providing legal and medical services to rape victims. -
The Conservationist
Dominique Bikaba: In eastern Congo's enormous Kahuzi-Biega National Park, conservationist Dominique Bikaba protects endangered gorillas and local villages caught in the middle of decades of conflict. Dominique himself survived a militia attack. His organization, Strong Roots, empowers communities with tools to live sustainably. -
The Community Builder
Amani Matabaro: In Bukavu, eastern Congo, Amani Matabaro is helping lay groundwork on Congo's hard road to peace. After losing both of his parents to the conflict, Amani founded Action Kivu to facilitate economic and educational opportunities for some of the most at-risk communities in the region.