Mpabanzi Jean de Dieu
Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo

My name is Mpabanzi Jean de Dieu, and I was born in Rubare, a small village in the Rutshuru area of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Over time, Rubare has gained attention due to its history of wars, murders, and kidnappings. The village is near a small, green lake called Kirwa, whose stories are passed down by the elders.Today, I live in Goma, where I completed my education. I earned my primary education certificate in 2010 and a D6 diploma in general teaching in 2016. Despite being unable to pursue higher education due to financial constraints, I didn’t let that stop me. Instead, I trained in various skills, including painting, design, screen printing, plastic arts, logo design, percussion, and singing.

My greatest passion is art, and Lens on Life/Camme RDC has been instrumental in fueling my desire to become a skilled photographer. I am deeply grateful to them for inspiring me and giving me this opportunity. My goal is to become an accomplished photographer, like my teacher Michelle Lunanga, and to use my skills to benefit my community. Art is not just my passion—it is my life. I believe photography, as an art form, has the power to profoundly impact human lives, and I am committed to mastering it.