Saturday, June 30, 2012

Lunch with President Kikwete at the State House




Another historic day for Powering Potential and personally an exciting one for me. (I'm in the second row with the turquoise shawl.)

Ambassador Maajar had invited me to join her VIP safari group of American business people for their activities in Dar es Salaam including dinner with President Kikwete. Plans changed and we had lunch instead of dinner with him at the State House today. A few of us were also invited to have our photos taken individually with the president. I'll get a copy of that photo later. President Kikwete referred to me as "Mama Karatu" and he complimented me on our work. I invited him to visit our project and he said the next time he's in Karatu he will come and visit. I also had a chance to tell the U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania more about Powering Potential. He gave us a grant in 2010.

In her remarks at lunch, which were videotaped, Ambassador Maajar mentioned Powering Potential by name. That video will eventually be on youtube. Ametupa heshima kubwa sana. (She has given us a very big honor.)

Tomorrow I join the group for Saba Saba, The International Trade Fair and then on Monday we fly to Zanzibar for activities there.

Stay tuned.....

3 comments:

Sonia Karkare said...

so proud of you! Congratulations...
Sonia

Anonymous said...

Go Mama Karatu !! We'll keep supporting you all the time.

Anonymous said...

Janice, it's incredible to see what your love for these people and their country and your big heart has done; I want to skype you sometime to say hi but I have to get my niece to help me with that. I so appreciate your insight and sensitivity. love, Olga