Auma Obama

Doctor
Auma Obama
Dr. Auma Obama in 2012
Born 1960 (age 57–58)
Nairobi, Kenya
Residence Nairobi, Kenya
Nationality Kenyan
Citizenship Kenyan
Alma mater Heidelberg University
(BA in German Language)
University of Bayreuth
(Doctor of Philosophy)
German Film and Television Academy
(Journalism and Film Studies)
Occupation Community Activist & Journalist
Years active 1980–present
Known for Leadership, Community Activism
Home town Kogelo
Title Executive Chairperson, Sauti Kuu Foundation

Rita Auma Obama, is a community activist, sociologist, journalist and author in Kenya, who serves as the Executive Chairperson, of Sauti Kuu Foundation, a non-profit organisation that helps orphans and other young people struggling with poverty, in that East African country.[1][2][3]

Background and education

Auma (born c. 1960), is the daughter of Barack Obama Sr. and his first wife, Kezia (née Kezia Aoko).[4][5][6] She is the older half-sister of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama.

After attending local elementary and secondary schools, she secured a scholarship to attend university in Germany. She studied German at Heidelberg University from 1981 until 1987. After her graduation from Heidelberg, she went on for graduate studies at the University of Bayreuth, graduating with a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1996.[2] She also studied at the German Film and Television Academy in Berlin.[7]

Life after school

Auma lived in the United Kingdom, for a while after her studies. While there, she helped her mother, Kezia to relocate from Kenya to the UK.[5] Kezia was granted British citizenship in 2011.[4]

In 1996, Auma married an Englishman, Ian Manners, and together are the parents of one daughter, named Akinyi (b. 1997). Auma and Ian Manners, divorced in 2000.[2][8] In 2007, Auma and Akinyi relocated to Kenya.[9]

In Kenya, Dr Auma Obama worked for five years, with the international charity organization, CARE International, before starting her own charity, Sauti Kuu Foundation (Strong Voices Foundation), sometimes referred to as Auma Obama Foundation.[10]

Other considerations

In 2011, Auma Obama was interviewed for Turk Pipkin's documentary Building Hope and was the subject of a German documentary film The Education of Auma Obama. In 2017 Auma Obama was honoured with the fourth International TÜV Rheinland Global Compact Award in Cologne.[11] At the award ceremony, she received the solely made for the award bronze sculpture ‘Der Griff nach den Sternen’ (Reaching for the stars) by artist Hannes Helmke.[12] Auma is the author of a book, And Then Life Happens, released in 2012 by St. Martin's Press.[10]

Dr. Auma Obama is member of the World Future Council.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Tom Odhiambo, and Stella Cerono (25 July 2015). "Why Auma holds special place in her famous brother's life". Daily Nation. Nairobi. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 Gathmann, Florian; Gregor Peter Schmitz; Jochen Schönmann (July 24, 2008). "Studentin in der Bundesrepublik: Wie Auma Obama mit Deutschland haderte". Der Spiegel (in German). Hamburg. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  3. ↑ "The Farmer and His Prince" Staff (2012). "Dr. Auma Obama: Background". Munich: Thefarmerandhisprince.com. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  4. 1 2 Kepher Otieno, and George Olwenya (4 November 2008). "Fascinating story of Obama family" (Archived from the Original). The Standard (Kenya). Nairobi. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  5. 1 2 Walker, Tim (13 December 2011). "Barack Obama's stepmother, Kezia Obama, is granted British citizenship". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  6. ↑ Barkham, Patrick. "Barack Obama: My stepson, the president". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2 February 2009.
  7. ↑ Dialog International (29 July 2008). "Auma Obama, Barack's German Connection". Dialoginternational.com. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  8. ↑ BBC Staff (28 May 2009). "Obama relative 'to stand as MP'". London: British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  9. ↑ Ridley, Jane (30 March 2009). "President Obama's British Step-mom, Kezia Obama, proud her son is meeting Queen". The Daily News (UK). London. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  10. 1 2 Sachs, Andrea (4 March 2012). "Auma Obama on Her Famous Brother, Their Instant Connection and Her New Memoir". Time Magazine. New York City. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  11. ↑ TÜV Rheinland (2017). "Prizes of the Foundation: International TÜV Rheinland Global Compact Award" (Translated from the Original German). TÜV Rheinland. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  12. ↑ TÜV Rheinland (2017). "International TÜV Rheinland Global Compact Award im Überblick" (PDF) (in German). TÜV Rheinland. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
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