Edited by Margrit Coppé and Fergus Power

Published in 2002
ISBN  0-9688786-4-4

160 full colour images by Henriette Koning, Justin Pearce, Fergus Power and Margrit Coppé.

This is a collection of impressions, stories, poems and recollections by 44 ‘estrangeiros’ living and working in Angola, one of the largest countries in Africa and one which has suffered a devastating civil war for more than 40 years. Editors Margrit Coppé, a photographer, graphic- and web designer with Development Workshop Angola, and Fergus Power, a field accountant for Concern Worldwide, contacted embassies, aid and development workers, church organizations, journalists and the private sector. They asked for stories that would show the warm heart of Angola. The resulting book is an insightful, charming and at times disturbing look at daily life in Angola.

All proceeds from the sale of the book support tree planting programs in Angola. In this way, Coppé and Power hope that publication of this book will leave a lasting impression not only on those who read it, but on the people of Angola as well. For more information see www.thepowerhouse.be.

From the Introduction by Fernando Pacheco, Angolan agronomist and president of ADRA, Angolan NGO:

“It is difficult to say how much I am shocked and made indignant by images of Angola showing only war, violence, destruction, death, misery, corruption. Because I live them, I know that other stories exist, many of which I have heard being told in the shade of the mulemba – a sacred and symbolic place common to almost all Angolan socio-cultural strata – where politics are conducted and justice is meted out, where young people are educated and where stories are told to confirm identities that stubbornly refuse to be destroyed.”