Embroidery tells a story of exile from the DRC

Lema Shamamba is an educator, artist, story teller and a community leader in the West Auckland suburb of Ranui, where she is affectionately known as 'Mama Lema'.Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, her art portrays the conflicts of her homeland. Some of her embroidered artworks are on display at the Cuba Dupa festival in Wellington this weekend. Drawing on her art and love of gardening helped her to settle in Auckland when she arrived as a refugee with three school age children - and it also led to friendships which helped her to learn English. For the past 10 years Lema Shamamba has been of the Ranui community garden - initially as a volunteer and now as a co-ordinator.