2009.01.21: January 21, 2009: Headlines: COS - Kenya: Obama: Connection Newspapers: Kenya RPCV James Riviere writes winning essay: I served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya and had the opportunity to brush shoulders with Senator [Barack] Obama, before the announcement [that] he would be running for President
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2009.01.21: January 21, 2009: Headlines: COS - Kenya: Obama: Connection Newspapers: Kenya RPCV James Riviere had a reserved front row seat for the swearing in of President Barack Obama :
2009.01.21: January 21, 2009: Headlines: COS - Kenya: Obama: Connection Newspapers: Kenya RPCV James Riviere writes winning essay: I served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya and had the opportunity to brush shoulders with Senator [Barack] Obama, before the announcement [that] he would be running for President
Kenya RPCV James Riviere writes winning essay: I served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya and had the opportunity to brush shoulders with Senator [Barack] Obama, before the announcement [that] he would be running for President
Following Barack Obama and the elections was a point of clarity. I was able to see the hope of a better tomorrow, manifested in dreams of Barack Obama. … This inauguration means something much greater than myself, or Kenya, or even the United States. What this inauguration means is something far greater: redemption. I am sure many Americans never thought they would see the day [in] which they might place hope back into America’s future. Now, these people, including myself, see the redemption of our fine nation. … Obama’s greater message is that, if a nation can be redeemed, then so can a person. This inauguration symbolizes this redemption and hopeful betterment of us a people, a nation and a world.
Kenya RPCV James Riviere writes winning essay: I served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya and had the opportunity to brush shoulders with Senator [Barack] Obama, before the announcement [that] he would be running for President
Winning Essay
The following are excerpts from James Riviere’s winning entry in the Presidential Inaugural Committee’s “Ticket to History” contest:
I served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya and had the opportunity to brush shoulders with Senator [Barack] Obama, before the announcement [that] he would be running for President. I knew little about him as a person and politician, but with the realization that his father was from the [Luo] tribe that I was living with, … I went out of my way to read his two books.
The day Obama won the first primary state, Iowa, … was the day after Kenya went into civil unrest due to the Kenyan presidential election results. … I was stuck in the [most violent] area … Nyanza province, and had to evacuate myself from the country through the Tanzanian border. This was not before I was caught in the middle of gunfire [and] witnessed mass looting.
The Peace Corps program completely closed and all volunteers had to either re-post or go home. … This was an unfortunate end to a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Needless to say, I was not so happy when I returned. Bitterness … clouded my attitude.
Following Barack Obama and the elections was a point of clarity. I was able to see the hope of a better tomorrow, manifested in dreams of Barack Obama. … This inauguration means something much greater than myself, or Kenya, or even the United States. What this inauguration means is something far greater: redemption. I am sure many Americans never thought they would see the day [in] which they might place hope back into America’s future. Now, these people, including myself, see the redemption of our fine nation. … Obama’s greater message is that, if a nation can be redeemed, then so can a person. This inauguration symbolizes this redemption and hopeful betterment of us a people, a nation and a world.
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: January, 2009; Peace Corps Kenya; Directory of Kenya RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Kenya RPCVs; Presidents - Obama
When this story was posted in February 2009, this was on the front page of PCOL:
Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
| Director Ron Tschetter: The PCOL Interview Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter sat down for an in-depth interview to discuss the evacuation from Bolivia, political appointees at Peace Corps headquarters, the five year rule, the Peace Corps Foundation, the internet and the Peace Corps, how the transition is going, and what the prospects are for doubling the size of the Peace Corps by 2011. Read the interview and you are sure to learn something new about the Peace Corps. PCOL previously did an interview with Director Gaddi Vasquez. |
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Story Source: Connection Newspapers
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Kenya; Obama
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