"Fatigue, physically and emotionally is my daily challenge" - Esperiance Every day is a struggle for Esperiance. She is the head of household, the eco- nomic provider, as her husband does not work. Uniquely, the family work as a team ... Kalembo, Esperiance's husband does domestic chores and admit- ted he enjoys cooking. Whilst Esperiance crosses the border to purchase her chickens, her eldest siblings manage her market stall in the town. Muhangu Village, Bukavu, DR Congo 24th May 2013. Cross-border trade is an economic lifeline for the stalwart citizens along borders in the Great Lakes Region of Africa. The DR Congo, and its neighbouring nations is the epi-centre of this trade, a region economically broken through decades of armed conflict, a region where corruption flourishes and its humble citizens flounder in profound poverty under an umbrella of poor governance. There are estimated more than 30 competing armed groups threatening the region, especially the M23 operating close to the Eastern capital of Goma creating waves of murder, rape and displacement. Conflict, accompanied by endemic poverty is the divisive weapon assaulting the citizens' daily. ? Carol Allen-Storey / International Alert / eyevine