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

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Kenya: Peace Corps Kenya : Peace Corps Kenya: Newest Stories: 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

By Admin1 (admin) (151.196.123.89) on Monday, February 16, 2009 - 2:55 pm: Edit Post

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.




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Headlines: January, 2009; Peace Corps Kenya; Directory of Kenya RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Kenya RPCVs; Presidents - Obama





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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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