My e-mail address is aminiadams16@hotmail.com Please e-mail me so that we can share the photos. I was impressed with the development in the area of Kivu. Those who are interested in writing or making a documentary in the area are more than welcome to contact me. I have lots of info now. Thanks to this site, I have descovered myself again.
— Amini Adams Cassinga, March 4, 2007

I'd like to hook up with you, Amini, but you didn't leave your email address! Have a safe and wonderful Christmas.
— Bob Fairbanks, November 16, 2006

Delighted
Hi ! I was born in Kivu but left atan early age. I live and work in South Africa for as a journalist. I am very much delighted to hear something good about my place of birth. I still have cousins living there but I always have been scared to go and visit. Somewhere this year I have decided to go and have my christmas there with my wife (who is white)and baby but she is still reluctant. So , if you are interested, please hook up with me for some fantastic pics Thanks !!!!
— Amini Adams Cassinga, November 16, 2006

Thanks
Thank you so much for the description of the area around Lake Kivu and Goma. I have a great interest in the area, have read much about the land and the Congolese people, but I've found few photos or such good descriptions. I am working on a novel with the Congo as the main locale. It would be unfair to readers to rely on my imagination and it's unlikely I'd be allowed to travel to the area.
— Glenna, June 2, 2005

More response to Glenna
The area around Kivu was quite densely populated, and as we drove out to the park to see the gorillas we passed a number of people walking on the side of the road, stopping frequently to stare at the two jeeps loaded with white people speeding down the muddy dirt road. (We apparently were the first outside group in some time. Our guides said they hadn't taken anybody into the park in six months.)

Memory is fleeting after 12 years, but I recall many people carrying wooden branches on their heads and shoulders, as if their only source of income were the meager loads of branches they could collect for firewood.

Imagine the chaos a year later when civil war in neighboring Rwanda forced millions of refugees to crowd into the Lake Kivu area. The beautiful place that was once called the Lake Geneva of Africa would soon be turned into a polluted, disease-ridden cesspool.
— Bob Fairbanks, May 14, 2005

A Reply to Glenna
Around the beautiful lake were rolling hills, including a number of tea plantations covered with bright green leaves and many local workers. The canopy of tall trees began several miles away, in the park where we trekked in to see the gorillas. As I mentioned above, we weren't allowed to take any photos, except in the park, mainly because the people we saw along the side of the long-unrepaired dirt road were in such obvious misery. Even the young people had the look of weariness and hopelessness, thanks to their terrible ruler Mbuto who was raping the entire country, taking billions of dollars out of Zaire for his own personal gain.

We went to see the gorillas. We left with genuine concerns for the poor people. And that was before the civil war that erupted exactly one year later, on Easter weekend 1994.
— Bob Fairbanks, May 14, 2005

Your Congo trip
Bob,

Can you describe the terrain around Lake Kivu? How densely populated is the area, at least in 1993, before the genocide and civil war?

Where does the jungle forest with 200-feet tall trees begin?

Your photos are wonderful. Thank you so much.
— Glenna Fisher, May 4, 2005

Of course you can, Jessi. I'd love to hear any reactions.
— Bob Fairbanks, July 22, 2003

Hi
I was wondering if i could please use these gorgeous pictures for a school demonnstration?
— Jessi, May 29, 2003

An amazing trek!
What an amazing travelouge...fascinating to say the least. Though it was a bit sad seeing the photos of the hungry boy & reading about the genocide it was still a very thoughtful piece. Thanks for sharing! Loved the mountain gorillas!!
— James Bierman, September 13, 2002

Mr. Reguillo says, "Your articles and photos are very good, each photo represents a magical moment of life. Thanks for showing them." I agree, Phil
— Phil, June 21, 2002

Phil, what does Mr. Reguilla have to say? Bob
— Bob Fairbanks, June 21, 2002

Momentos magicos.
Tus articulos y fotografias son muy buenos,cada foto representa un momento magico en la vida. Gracias por conpartirlos.
— Eulogio Reguillo, May 15, 2002