An amazing delegation has gathered for GCJ's inaugural journey to Nigeria in November. To date, we have an equal number of women and men, ages 21 to 73, from the Puget Sound region stretching from Bellingham to Olympia, plus one from California.

The mix of backgrounds, experience, skills and interests is truly impressive, including: teachers, students, librarians, civil engineer, psychiatrist, emergency room physician, writers, singers, chaplain, photojournalist and business people. Conflict resolution, compassionate listening, hospice and AIDS, public sector management, labor relations, environmental policy, alternative energy, community and organizational development, speech therapy, school and library administration. Religious affiliations include Islamic, Jewish, Christian and Gaian.

In addition to the core delegation, we're thrilled to have a team of videographers joining us on the journey. We hope to raise the funds to support creation of a documentary that will tell the GCJ and Niger Delta stories.

We have room for two more delegates and are hoping for some interest in sustainable aqua/agriculture, permaculture, food security and sanitation.

On August 23, GCJ executive director Susan Partnow and Nigeria project director Mary Ella Keblusek embark on a 2-week pre-journey. Together with Joel and Nigeria GCJ team members they will preview our itinerary to confirm all logistics and accommodations, and visit local dignitaries to set up meetings for the November delegation.

In Oporoza, they will visit our host families, as well as village elders, officials and school personnel. They will also spend time in team building activities with the Nigeria GCJ group, including an introduction to compassionate listening.

Most exciting of all, while the team is in Oporoza they will join community members in breaking ground for the library.

Thanks to Joel's history and connections in the Delta and nationally, a unique aspect of the Nigeria journey will be contact with people typical visitors wouldn't have access to. Our Nigeria project leadership has been working tirelessly from the U.S. and Nigerian sides to forge relationships that will help make our journey more meaningful to the delegates and the Niger Delta region. Some highlights:

• A pledge of support from the Olu of Warri (head of Itsekiri tribe) and discussion about a possible follow-on project in an Itsekiri village (Oporoza is an Ijaw village). It is highly unusual for the Olu to meet with an Ijaw (Joel's tribe), due to violent conflicts only recently ended (with Joel/NIDPRODEV's help). One of the Nigeria GCJ team members is Itsekiri and arranged the meeting.
• An encouraging dialog with Chevron, which has an oil installation close to Oporoza, about GCJ's invitation to send a delegate in November, provide infrastructure support for delegates (Internet, medical, etc.) and underwrite library construction.
• A commitment from the Gbaranmatu leadership (local Ijaw clan) for cooperation and significant contribution of library construction materials.

Welcome and big thanks to Marilyn, who has generously volunteered to coach delegates on fundraising, and help with current admin tasks as well as developing ideas for future GCJ projects.

Marilyn was a Peace Corps volunteer in Somalia in the '60s, taught at the University of Guyana, has traveled globally, and completed a certificate in Psycho-social Foundations of Peacebuilding from the School for International Training.

A recent transplant to Whidbey Island, Marilyn had a 25-year psychotherapy practice, specializing in imagery and relationship skills. She is delighted to again be part of an organization promoting cross- cultural connections and community building.

Here's a sampling of the many interesting articles that have come our way about Nigeria and the Niger Delta.

Why Women are at War with Chevron: Nigerian subsistence struggles against the international oil industry

Fighting Fake Drugs: Using honest women and fiery courage, a Nigerian pharmacist is taking on one of Africa's worst ills--endemic corruption

Legal Action to Stop Nigeria Gas Flaring

Trivia answer:

c. 7th -- the United States gets about 15% of its oil from Nigeria