VOICED : Looking for a place to live in DR Congo? Try the cemetery

In Kisuke Cemetery, south of Kinshasa, illegal housing has emerged as locals build homes among graves due to poverty. Despite police efforts to dismantle these homes, residents rebuild, citing land sales by traditional leaders and officials. Living conditions are dire, with health risks from contaminated water. Residents express willingness to relocate if provided with land and resources, highlighting the severe housing crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

What materials are being used by locals to build homes in Kisuke cemetery?

• Wood and straw

• Mud, bricks, and steel

• Plastic and metal

• Concrete and glass

Why do residents claim they are living in the cemetery?

• They want to protect the graves

• They are conducting a social experiment

• They were sold the land by traditional leaders and officials

• They enjoy the peaceful environment

What infrastructure have the residents built to adapt to their living conditions?

• A hospital and a market

• A school and wells

• A library and a park

• A community center and a gym

What do the residents say they need in order to leave the cemetery?

• A public apology

• A government job

• Land elsewhere and money for construction

• A new cemetery

What is the primary concern for the residents of Kisuke cemetery?

• Building a community garden

• Preserving the cemetery's history

• Having a roof over their heads

• Finding a place to bury their dead