A Giraffe Hero returns from the Niger Delta:
A conversation with Giraffe Joel Bisina and an African celebration
Sunday evening, June 1
Whidbey Island – Langley United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall
7:00 – 9:30 pm
As you may know, the Sweet Crude documentary film crew was imprisoned for a week in mid-April by Nigerian authorities. Joel Bisina, my husband, was one of those detained. While the American detainees returned to the US right away, Joel has just returned to his home on Whidbey Island after this difficult and dangerous experience.
The Langley-based nonprofit Giraffe Heroes Project (www.giraffe.org) is hosting this event to give the community an opportunity to welcome Joel back and learn more about how he has been “sticking his neck out” for the common good.
Joel was commended as a Giraffe Hero in 2004 for his courageous and passionate commitment to improving the social, economic and environmental plight of the Niger Delta’s people, a plight caused by 50 years of drilling for oil and the government’s failure to include the resident community in the resulting profits. To learn more of Joel’s story, check out http://www.giraffe.org/hero_Joel.html.
The first half of the June 1 event will include a short cut of the documentary, a discussion about the recent events in the delta, and a dialogue between Joel and Giraffe President John Graham, who was previously a US diplomat for African Affairs during the Carter administration.
Then the celebration – we’ll enjoy social time, with African music played by local Island musicians (dancing optional!). Light refreshments will be served. Suggested donation is $5.
Please come join us for a fun and inspiring event.
Mary Ella
