A LONG ROAD TO THE LIGHT

A LONG ROAD TO THE LIGHT - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO In eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's population is torn between death and life. After nearly twenty years of uninterrupted latent war, few things help overcome fear and despair; that is the reason why they take refuge in their beliefs, their rituals and their religion; they hold onto their ceremonies, their happiness and their traditions, in a difficult path that leads to a bleak future. In the provinces of Maniema, North Kivu, South Kivu and Katanga, life goes on in spite of everything. There is a will to secure that future and there are men who work for it. Maiko National Park was created in 1970. It is a deep jungle very difficult to penetrate that does not welcome visitors. But in its mountains live lowland gorillas, elephants, leopards, okapis and many more animals. It's a tough world, as everything else is in Congo. In these jungles of Maiko National Park hide since 1964 the Simba rebels. They are those who supported Patrice Lumumba, the Congolese independence leader; and have been hidden in the woods for three generations. In Maiko live men, children and women who have never left its shadows. Now, they want to come out of the woods and seek an agreement with the Kinshasa government. They seek a future that allows them to be reborn in his own country. Their commanding officer, General Joseph Mando Mazero, calls for international support for their situation and aspirations to become known. The Park rangers also seek their future and believe it is possible. They maintain a difficult relationship with the rebels, but they are working to make known its forests and its treasures to the world. In Democratic Republic of Congo there are many people looking for a different future. Clinging to what they have, it's a long way to the light.