by Sarah Onyango
On May 10, 2015, some lucky Ottawans experienced a unique Mother’s Day celebration as they welcomed, for the first time in Ottawa, none other than Mama Sarah Obama, who had travelled from Toronto to attend a special afternoon fundraising reception in her honour. If the last name sounds familiar, that’s because Mama Sarah is the third wife of U.S. President Barack Obama’s paternal grandfather. Mama Sarah was accompanied by a delegation which included her daughter Marsat, and members of the executive of one of her NGOs, Safeguard Orphans and Widows Organization (SOWO).
At this event organized jointly by Ms. Peggy Taillon (founder of HERA Mission Canada) and members of the Kenyan Association and held at Rideau Park United Church, guests heard from Mama Sarah about what she hopes to accomplish through SOWO. Based in the Western part of Kenya, this NGO focuses on literacy, youth and women’s empowerment, food security, clean water, shelter, and sanitation. The 94-year-old matriarch of the Obama family has been at the forefront of championing the plight of the orphans, other vulnerable children, the girl child and widows in Africa. For her admirable efforts she has received various international awards including the inaugural U.N. Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Education Pioneer Award in November 2014. She was also awarded a honorary Doctor of Letters Degree by the Great Lakes University of Kisumu in 2010 for her work on behalf of poor communities in Kenya.
Mama Sarah was serenaded by the very talented Angelique Francis, who was deeply moved by the matriarch’s enthusiastic response to her performance. Other speakers included the executive director of SOWO, HERA Mission’s Peggy Taillon and Kenyan Association President Denis Lusisa.
You can read more about Mama Sarah’s work in Kenya at http://msof.org/
