"Congolese visual artist Elisha Abumba on Saturday showcased his deeply personal photographic project 'Between Lava and Guns' in Goethe-Institut Kigali, offering audiences an intimate look at life shaped by conflict and the harsh realities of nature. The exhibition reflects Abumba’s everyday upbringing in eastern Congo, a region marked by active volcanoes and recurring wars, as it transforms life experiences into visual testimony. “As an artist photographer, we have the obligation to document what surrounds us [...] Being born between volcanoes and repeated wars is a challenge, but for me, it is now a pleasure to show, in an artistic way, what I have experienced and what my people have experienced for several years,” said Abumba. Footage shows visitors moving through a collection of photographs, live installations, and sketches that blend memory, resilience and identity. “Giving art this touch of personal identity, this touch of personal history, makes this project even more interesting. And that in itself is resilience,” said attendee Esther Abumba. Kenyan photographer Ian Christian Muchita explained the broader impact of such storytelling. "This story can actually get to the United Nations, where the policies are actually being drafted, and it is through this impactful storytelling that some of these people are able to realise and are able to have their story heard and ultimately their conditions to change," Ian said. Photographer Abumba documents the daily lives of 'ordinary heroes', especially war-displaced individuals in the DRC. As a freelancer who combines photography, videography, slam poetry, and motivational speaking to collaborate with humanitarian organisations, sharing messages of hope amid challenges."