The Niger Delta has found a special place in the hearts of many teenagers in the Marysville, Washington area. Sweet Crude volunteer Ryan Hauck is a social studies teacher and department chair at Marysville-Pilchuck High School. He’s created a “sister school” link between his students and those in the Niger Delta village of Oporoza. Ryan feels this is a great opportunity for students clear across the globe to learn more about each other’s cultures – to recognize that our lives are more interconnected than we realize, our similarities outweigh our differences, and ordinary citizens can have a positive impact on the lives of others. Take a look at the many projects Ryan’s students have passionately taken on.

Ryan has also been working with Oporoza teachers on professional development in curriculum, methods of teaching, using diverse resources and assessment practices. He even spent his spring break there.