Moroccan American Kids Seek the White House

: 03/27/09

It is afternoon and I am at the Mclean Community Center in VA to attend an event. As soon as I set a foot in the room, I am already exchanging hugs with faces I had not seen for months if not years, and hellos with individuals I meet for the first time. In the middle of the room, there are tables lined up with about 32 kids, age ranging from 2 to 14 years old, who are drawing with crayons. Some of them are demanding that their parents check on their work for approval while others are adamant that their parents do not even peek at their crafts. MBTV was busy interviewing kids and capturing these moments. On the far left corner of the room, there is a table with juices, water, and various types of cookies.

On the wall to my right, I can see Moroccan and American flags and some posters hanging. As the afternoon progressed, I got the chance to mingle with few parents who were spread out in various small groups. Topics varied from discussing which airline to take this summer to travel to Morocco, to sharing information on various local schools kids attend, to the fast rate at which kids grow. It was pleasant to also hear parents compare and contrast the habits and ways of their children.

Such was the setting at the second “Youth Art Contest”, part of “My Morocco” event series. This particular event was chaired by Mrs. Annalissa Essaadi, and the theme this time around was "Welcome the Obama Family to the White House." The aim was to bring community members and their families together yet again and to “press on with the Obama to Speak in Morocco Campaign” said Hassan Samerhouni. who is proving to be the quintessence of persistence in this campaign.

After all these aspiring young Picassos had completed their pieces, they were given the opportunity to talk about their works of art. Then, they each received an honorary certificate in recognition for their participation and as a token of encouragement. Art supplies, certificates, and snacks and refreshments were sponsored by event organizer Washington Moroccan Club whose members, Abdessamad Nhairy and Aicha Bensaid were instrumental in making this event a success.

Organizers are planning to select three to four paintings and organize a trip to the White House with these kids to present the paintings to the Obama family. Since we live in a land where anything is possible, attempts at making it official by presenting the selected works to Malia and Sasha Obama in person are underway. It would be quite a tail to tell for these kids if this were to materialize. And who knows, may be this will inspire some of them to want to seek the presidency some day!

Jamal Laoudi

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Comments (20)

0 #1 COMMENT_TITLE_R E Moroccan American Kids Seek the White House — Hmimarmad 2009-03-29 09:58

This is great. Keep up the good work. I wish such events could take place in other states as well.