This is a common sight. Homes built into the side of hills and mountains. When there are heavy rains, however, poor foundations will not hold the houses. Many lives are lost as houses cascade down the hillside. There were many such tragedies when I was there this year.  

The city homes are even closer and more unstable. Homes are built quickly and often with little or no planning. The goal is to shelter their families as rapidly as possible, whatever it takes. 

The city has gone from a few hundred thousand to over one million in just a few years, and people continue to flood into Bukavu seeking security. The internet tells me that there are more U.N. troops based in Bukavu than any other single location on earth! (The last number I heard was 22,000)

This leads to a two-tiered financial system. Everything has one price for the local people and another for foreigners. There are beautiful homes alongside shacks, expensive cars driving past barefoot people carrying heavy burdens. 

It really makes you think, when those hard working people living in hastily constructed shacks are more gracious, generous, and caring.........

They have taught me much about life and what is important. Hopefully it will change me!