Obama, the hope of students

This is the fourth of a five part series showcasing the students work. Here, Joshua John Chirambwe from St. Faiths Mission, Rusape writes on the following topic: What hope does Barack Obama embody for you as an African youth in the 21st century?

President Barack Hussein Obamas victory was celebrated in nearly all countries in the world. He became truly an acknowledged world leader. Dreams that had seemed grandiose have now come to reality. President Obama took the world by storm. Undoubtedly, an inspiration to the world. While criticism affects virtually every politician, Obama managed to remain firm, unlike other politicians. The odds against him were that he would not become the President of the United States of America, chiefly because he is black. President Obama embodies for me the hope that with determination and defiant zeal, anyone can be successful in life despite their racial background. I now have a deep, inner understanding that if I develop good oratory skills, I may also become a great politician like Obama one day.

We face difficult challenges ahead sometimes they may seem insurmountable but I promise you, they will be met, the political icon said on the 20th January inauguration day. The fact of Obamas success against odds is a message of hope to struggling Africans. For a country like Zimbabwe, that hope inspired by Obama becomes even more relevant. Zimbabwe has incredible challenges high inflation, unemployment, dramatic drop in standards of living, isolation from the world community and concerns about freedom, human rights and the rule of law. Statistics reveal that unemployment has hovered above seventy percent. The hope inspired by Obama to overcome challenges can also apply to Zimbabwe and I hope as a young person for a turnaround in the fortunes of my country. Obama reminds me of the fact that: yes we can.

Will Obama help Zimbabwe and other Africans? I hope so. After all, he has got an African background. However, as president of the United States of America has his priorities in his country, and he has many challenges there, for example, the global recession. Despite these challenges, I hope that as a world leader he will go beyond the concerns of his country to assisting the world. The United States of America is well known for its universal concern for issues of development and freedom.

It is well known that Africa has more problems than any other continent in the world that is why Obama becomes critical. It is a continent where ethnic clashes, terrorism, international conflicts, high inflation, high infant mortality rates, corruption, no rule of law, poor education, poverty and rocketing parental deaths are the order of the day, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. As a youth, I hope Obama will come to our rescue and assist us to bring the change that we need! In conclusion, Obama embodies for me as an African youth in the 21st century a variety of hopes. The challenges I meet in life are surmountable with determination and defiant zeal. Where there is a will, there is a way.