Former US President Barack Obama applauded Caren Wakoli, the founder and Executive Director of Emerging Leaders Foundation (ELF Africa).
Speaking during Nelson Mandela's annual memorial lecture, the former US President noted that Wakoli was among the people playing a remarkable role in nurturing the youth.
Although Wakoli may not be a household name, Obama distinguished her to be "among the 200 people from the African continent who are striving to make changes in their communities and reflecting Mandela's values and are poised to lead the way".
[caption caption="Caren Wakoli, the founder and Executive Director of Emerging Leaders Foundation"]
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"People like Caren Wakoli, an entrepreneur from Kenya founded Emerging Leaders Foundation to get young people involved in fighting poverty and promoting human dignity," Obama stated.
An elated Wakoli thanked Obama following the recognition: "Thank you, President Obama, for recognizing the work of Emerging Leaders Foundation in championing dignity for all Kenyans by mentoring transformative young leaders. We are inspired and energized."
During the speech, Obama had indicated: "We just don't need one leader. We don't just need one inspiration. What we badly need now is that collective spirit."
"And I know that those young people, those hope carriers are gathering around the world. Because history shows that whenever progress is threatened and the things we care about most are in question we should heed to the words of Robert Kennedy: "Our answer is the world's hope; it is to rely on youth"."
"Young people, my message to you is simple. Keep believing, keep marching, keep building, keep raising your voice," he stated.
Indicating that basking in the glory of past accomplishments is not enough, Obama urged the youth to stand on the shoulders of those who came before like Mandela, but know "that its now their turn to do the work".
[caption caption="Caren Wakoli in a past event"]
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"Every generation has the opportunity to remake the world. Mandela said: "Young people are capable, when aroused, of bringing down the towers of oppression and raising the banners of freedom".
"Now is a good time to be aroused. Now is a good time to be fired up," Obama emphasized while highlighting equality, dignity, democracy, solidarity, and kindness as some of the pillars to attain the change desired in the communities.
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