Kumba, January 19, 2009
Global Conscience Initiative is delighted to welcome Justine Lucas as Programme Director of the Kumba office for 2009. Ms. Lucas comes from the USA , where she spent the past few years working for NGOs in New York City . GCI is enthusiastic about the fresh perspective she will bring to the organisation.

Ms. Lucas has a Bachelor's Degree in History, Anthropology and Judaic Studies, and a Masters Degree in Global Affairs and Non-Profit Management from the University of New York . GCI believes that she will bring a new level of organisation to their human rights work in Kumba.

Welcoming the new programme director, GCI founder and Chief Executive Samba Churchill said: "I am a fighter and not a manager. I am sure you possess the skills to direct my fights and sustain my legacy. I am sorry to inform you that you may not have rewards for your work but your results will live with you and after you for ever".

Ms Lucas began work soon after her arrival in Kumba by participating in a special GCI radio broadcast on Ocean City Radio (88.5FM) on Sunday evening. She was joined by GCI interns to discuss plans for the organisation's human rights work in 2009.

GCI will continue to broadcast the human rights education and discussion programme, Human Rights Hour, on OCR on Tuesdays. The time has been moved to 7.30pm to reach a wider audience. If you have any questions for the GCI presenters, bring your letters to OCR or call the programme and GCI will provide some answers on air.

Ms Lucas is excited to be in Kumba and looks forward to getting to know the people and hearing their human rights concerns. She said “I am very happy to be in Kumba and I look forward to all the great accomplishments we will make together at GCI in 2009.”

Ms Lucas foresees a successful 2009 for Global Conscience Initiative. She hopes to contribute to the effectiveness of GCI's existing programmes, such as Centres for Arbitration and Mediation, Prisoners' Rights, and Human Rights Clubs in Secondary Schools. Ms. Lucas also plans to initiate new projects during her time at GCI.

As ever, GCI is ready to receive your complaints of human rights abuse, as a victim or a witness, and welcomes any suggestions for improving the human rights situation in Kumba. The GCI office is open from 8.30am to 4pm to receive visitors with specific concerns, as well as those who are interested in learning more about human rights.