We knew some little girl would present flowers to President Obama when he arrives at JKIA, but no one would have guessed it would be an orphaned girl!
There wouldn’t have been a better choice as eight-year-old Joan Wamaitha did not only give a splendid act but also represented the neglected community of orphans often hidden by relatives or children’s homes as bait for donors.
Maybe President Obama knew the first person to interact with on Kenyan soil was a special kind. No wonder he had an instant connection between US President and Joan Wamaitha, from Mama Ngina Children’s home in South C, Nairobi.
President Obama took time embracing the flower girl, whispered some words the girl may not remember, but which will have an impact in her life, before posing for photo. President Uhuru Kenyatta stood there watching as the young girl savoured her moment of fame.
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The moment could not go unnoticed by social media users. They poured accolades on the young girl whose photo went viral. Wamaitha is a standard one pupil at Mariakani Primary School in South B.
Sunday Nation reports that a team of security officials visited the home last week scouting for a suitable candidate to present flowers to President Obama. On Friday afternoon, Joan was picked from the children’s home and boarded a government car.
“I was surprised to see her on television. None of us expected that. She had come to school as usual on Thursday but she did not mention the big feat that was awaiting her,” class teacher Pauline Musyoka said.
Her teachers described her as polite, disciplined and brilliant. “As a school, we are proud of her. She has made Mariakani known to the world. We are so proud of her,” Mariakani’s deputy teacher Selina Oduor said.
Polite and shy, Wamaitha is among the well performing children in her class of 35 pupils, the school said.
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