Kenyan woman wows Michelle Obama at White House – VIDEO
A Kenyan woman got 15 seconds of fame after she was honoured by US First Lady Michelle Obama at an exclusive event held at the White House on Tuesday.
The woman, Wanjiru “Ciiru” Waithaka, runs a company called Fun Kidz that creates “furniture, accessories and educational tools for children, that are based on African stories”.
Mrs Obama cited Ciiru as an example for women who are empowering others in her society.
“You go girl! Ciiru is from Kenya so we’re family,” said an evidently elated Mrs Obama sending guests into a fit of laughter.
For starters, her husband and US president Barack Obama is son of a Kenyan father.
TRADEMARK HUG
The First Lady made the remarks during the United State of Women Dinner which was held on Tuesday, June 14 as part of the White House United State of Women Summit, at the US Department of State.
She interrupted her sentiments about Ciiru to blow kisses at the awestruck Kenyan woman who was in the audience. At some point, Mrs Obama summoned her to the stage, declaring: “This is worth stopping for a second,” she said.
She then wrapped her hands around her for her trademark hug. Mrs Obama says Ciiru got a loan from Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women, a global initiative that fosters economic growth by providing women entrepreneurs around the world with a business and management education, mentoring and networking, and access to capital.
“Ciiru was able to double her production capacity, hire new employees and start selling her products around the world,” said the First Lady.
“And Ciiru didn’t just sit back and enjoy her success. Instead, she stepped up and founded a program for kids from struggling families to teach them about innovation and technology, and she’s already reached more than 350 children.”
Ciiru later then formed a program for children from needy families that has touched more than 350 children in teaching them about innovation and technology.
