The first year of the Nigeria Project included a trip to the West African, Sub-Saharan nation of Nigeria--spanning July 4 - 30 and the cities of Kano, Zaria, Abuja, and Maiduguri.

Why Nigeria?   As I prepared for this trip, many people asked me this question, usually with skepticism and concern. Nigeria has a reputation in the Western world as a very dangerous place so my family and friends were concerned for my safety. Frankly I was worried too. However, I always felt safe in Nigeria. One should always be careful when travelling, but I never felt threatened or afraid.

The skepticism generally arose from notions that I would be wasting my time or should 'stay home' and do some good here. What difference can a library make in a place where basic necessities are barely met? How could I or my local community benefit from my participation in this project based half way around the world? As an independent, liberal woman, how could I tolerate a conversative, Moslem society? Eh?

Assumptions have a way of withering in the light of direct experience....