The Inauguration/Oprah really got to me

One unforgettable moment, five words: The Inauguration of Barack Obama! It was my intention to join the 1.5+ million people in DC and stand face to face with the man whose story is the stuff of legends. But the $800+ airlines were asking for plane tickets to DC made me rethink how I was going to celebrate this moment in history. I normally do not praise Memphis but the city actually came through during the Inauguration. The relationship that many drew between President (hee-hee. I can say that now) Obama and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made Memphis the 2nd best place to watch the Inauguration. Memphis is the city where MLK was assassinated 40 years ago and I was able to view the inauguration at the exact location MLK was assassinated, the Lorraine Motel, which has been transformed into the historic Civil Rights Museum. I even managed to make it on CNN....well not me exactly but the auditorium of the Civil Rights Museum made it onto CNN. I was honestly almost brought to tears (and I am not one to shed them, but I was at the brink of complete exposure) when I saw Pres. Obama cross the threshold of the Capital and take his place on the podium. I mean I definitely felt the presence of something in that room and felt a great wave of joy and confidence overtake my body. But as all things, my reflection of the moment did not mimic my sentiment of the experience.

I began to wonder why I was so invested in this election and what it meant for me as a Nigerian to be excited that this man is now the President of the United States. How can I and do I relate to this moment? Pres. Obama is not Nigerian; his father is from Kenya so that makes him partly African and I can relate to the occasion because of his ancestry. But he's not known as the first African President of the United States but the first African American President of the United States. He does make a point to acknowledge and re-emphasize the diversity of his background, especially his African roots, but is this simply it? Does it even make a difference? I know most of you all are thinking that I should just be happy for this moment and rejoice in the triumph of truth, justice, faith and hope, and in the power of democracy.....but as a Philosopher I must ask these tough and trying questions. Do I have a place in President's Obama's legacy? Is his dream the same as mine? How deep is the bond between President and constituent? Obama includes me in his dream on the condition that I keep my end of the bargain and work to make the Dream a reality not only for myself as an resident of the Americas but as a citizen of the world, a believer in a more perfect, harmonious and equal utopia. The thing that me, MLK and Obama have in common is that we are all Dreamers and we all believe that our dreams will one day be a reality. Whereas I tried to cause division by making the Dream about country lines, the Dream is really about the width of one's heart and the triumph of one person who will work to elevate millions. That's the significance of January 20, 2009 and the legacy of President Barack Obama.

Then enters Oprah Winfrey. One particular statement she made during her Inauguration recap show with Gail, Forest Whittaker, and Bon Jovi really boiled my blood. Everyone was commenting on how the entire world tuned in to watch President Obama take the oath of office and Oprah made a comment that aggravated the biggest pet peeve I have about references to Africa, bigger than the question "Do you all wear clothes/shoes?"It is the pet peeve of referring to Africa as a country. Oprah said that even her girls in Africa were watching the Inauguration, as if to say that from this statement one could pinpoint the location of the girls. The picture I imagined was a small cottage with the words "Africa" written on the mailbox and all of Oprah's girls sitting around cross-legged watching the tv screen as President Obama took his oath. Africa is not a small cottage but an enormous palace with 54 rooms, all with unique decores, structures, and styles. I am sure she did not intend to mean that Africa was a country but when I heard her statement I immediately heard her saying: Africa = country, not continent. I would rather, in circumstances where you know the specific country in reference, people call the country by name. If it is not a country that most people know you can do them dual service to list the country AND the continent. That way they will know that the country is within the continent and not continue to think that the continent is a county. She could have said that (1) her girls in Johannesburg were watching the Inauguration or (2) her girls in Johannesburg, South Africa were watching the Inauguration. Truly, I would have liked for her to say that her girls in Henley-on-Klip were watching the Inauguration. I opt for the latter statement because I think it would encourage people to do research on their own and figure out exactly where it is located. A significant majority of people (and I will go out on a limb and say Americans) are not aware of a world outside of their country, especially the world of Africa (and here I can sayAfrica because I am referring to the continent and not to a specific country or locale. And I also know that Africa is a continent not a country).

Well I guess that's it for now. I'm sure you have a lot to say in response to this blog and I LOVE IT! I welcome all opinions and comments. This is a discussion not a personal rant (even though at times it could read as such :-P). Even if you agree with my statements, the whole point is to make your voice heard. If you don't then that's even better. Make your point so we can talk about the world around us and open up the world around us......

Much Love,

Ronke A. Oke
Miss Nigeria in America, 2008

Some days it really is HARD!

Good ideas are fairly easy to come up with, but every good idea is never as easy to implement. I guess this becomes the ever growing pile of discouragement that some Nigerian men and women cite as reasons they are spectators to the perpetuating problems and fail to contribute to the solution. The problems facing Nigeria are, without a doubt, overwhelming, and before a sign of hope appears in the horizon, it is met with more obstacles and increasing problems at every corner. Some believe that in order to defeat the obstacles they must secure better positions that enable them with the capacity and resources to make a difference (i.e. being a citizen with one vote cannot guarantee that your voice is heard but being an elected official with one vote can move and shake a multitude of things), but that too doesn't make matters easy. Sometimes it really is the state of things, and in particular the state of a nation, that is the impediment. Sometimes it really is HARD!!

As Miss Nigeria in America it is assumed that I am in a position to "move and shake." It is true that I have resources and a wide network of individuals and, even if I cannot manage to make direct contact with a resource, I can quickly be put in contact with someone who can. But with all these benefits I am still having difficulty trying to get what I want DONE. It is not a lack of passion or because of an impeding schedule but rather the difficulty in understanding what is really going on in Nigeria. It is at this point when I try to wrap my head around the fact that my call to the Orphanage in Okwelle just will not go through and added to that the fact that no one in Owerri knows where the orphanage is, that I realize what has happened: I have become Westernized. I operate with Western ideals and hopes, clouded expectancies in which I expect that answers to my questions will return to me in an "instant"; spoiled by the luxuries of communication devices, transportation systems, and other "advancements". I erroneously think that the world resembles my immediate surroundings and commonplace experiences. I have shut myself in from the outside world and have lost touch with reality. And the reality for most, including those in Nigeria and from Nigeria, is that my tunnel vision focus is surreal or rather, no reality at all.

Its not that I was disappointed that I could not get through to anyone at the orphanage but I honestly could not and do not understand why I couldn't get through and ultimately, why Nigeria is the way it is. Why don't we have better communication devices? Why aren't the roads paved and the transportation vehicles reliable? Why aren't we more advanced (technological and otherwise)? It is definitely not because we suffer from a lack of ingenuity. There are thousands of Nigerians in the States and all across the globe that are Engineers of all sorts, Entrepreneurs, Nurses and Doctors, Lawyers, Politicians, Educators, Inventors and Scientists, and who hold a host of other occupations and degrees, and whose opulence and intelligence would shock us all. This should at least warrant us a multitude of progressive staples in our country but to our dismay Nigeria is still the way it is and I am still a bit disconnected from it all.

I wanted to write this entry as my attempt to communicate to you the difficulty in getting anything of substance accomplished in Nigeria. I truly wanted to discuss the relentless attempts MNIA has made to make the dream of free education possible to the children at the Motherless Babies Home in Okwelle. I wanted to describe the setbacks of such a dream and the setbacks of Nigeria, but all I seem to point out are the setbacks of being away from home. I have spent 23 years way from my home and have let ambitions and other commitments prevent me from getting in touch with my roots. And though it really is hard some days to hold on to a dream, its even harder to let go of it. The great thing about this dream is that it not only allows me to be of service to others but it also keeps me grounded in Nigeria.

Much Love,

Ronke A. Oke
Miss Nigeria in America, 2008

A New Year. A New Queen. A New Vision.

WOW! I just have to thank GOD! People tell me that the shock and excitement will eventually wear off but I'm not convinced that it ever will. Well...let me not say that because as soon as I have to hand over my crown to make way for a new queen with a new vision I'm sure I'll be shocked but in no way will I be excited! (LOL) I can't believe that 4 months have already passed. It seems like yesterday I was jumping up and down after hearing my name and the announcement that I, Ronke Abidemi Oke, have been crowned Miss Nigeria in America, 2008! WHOA! Now its four months later and I am just now beginning to track my journey. This is actually a great place to start. I am now settled in my new position, have set up my vision and platform for the year, and from today on out will be engaged in what I like to call "Implementation." I am very excited about this year, about what will happen next. But it seems fair to bring you up to speed....

September 6, 2008
As soon as I was crowned I was given my first appearance as Miss Nigeria in America. I presented an award to Honorable Patience Jonathan (wife of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Vice President of Nigeria) at the 'Beyond the Tears' Humanitarian Awards Show in Harlem, New York. My presentation would have been memorable if in fact I had a chance to meet the 2nd Lady Mrs. Patience Jonathan. Unfortunately for me she and everyone else of importance in Nigeria made an emergency trip back to Nigeria. I just stood on stage smiling that big smile of mine as I presented to the Secretary who accepted the award on her behalf. But it didn't turn out too bad. I was pleased that everyone was excited about my appearance at the event and genuinely wanted to meet me, exchange business cards, and take pictures. I felt like a celebrity and received all of the perks that comes with fame. I also got to reconnect with one of my fellow Delegates from the Pageant and my twin, Joycee Awojoodu, Miss Enugu 2008.

October 25, 2008
The next event I attended was Nylah's Catering's Charity Gala, "Feed the Children". The event was phenomenal. I learned so much about the lives of our children back home in Nigeria. The event sought to provide food for the thousands of child hawkers on Nigeria's street and sponsored the Poorest of the Poor orphanage in Abuja. It was also my first speaking engagement. I was so committed to the efforts that Nylah's Catering was sponsoring so the words I offered were directly from my heart. My speech, I think, encouraged everyone to take responsibility for the state of our children and to make it their duty to provide these street children with a life of love, hope, opportunity, security, well-being and prosperity. I also took the opportunity to introduce the audience to who I was and to make them aware of the work I plan to do this year. I think that my main appeal is that I do everything with passion. From the words I speak to servicing the community to getting all Nigerians involved to the platform I adopted this year, all of this resounds the passion I have for other people and the pride I have in my culture and country. I was delighted to have an opportunity to share this message with the people at the Gala event.

November 28, 2008

After the Charity event I visited the women of N Street Village. N Street Village is in the District of Columbia and the organization provides food, clothing, showers, transitional and permanent housing, mental and physical health care, and support for homeless and low-income women. N Street Village empowers the women and encourages them to reach their highest potential in all areas of life. Serving over 600 women, N Street Village has been built and maintained with principals of strength, dignity, ability, and personal responsibility. I participated in the Sister's Circle program and drew from my personal experiences and ideals to empower the women of the N Street Village. But the main inspiration came from the women of N Street. The stories that they shared and their willingness to open their lives so that others could learn from their decisions was amazing. They taught me that day that life is a fight for happiness and realizing that happiness is not just momentary pleasure but a way of life that you commit to every day of your life. And they also reminded me that life is also about the decisions you make. Though we cannot always make the best decisions, we have to prevent ourselves from reaching rock bottom before we begin to fight for our happiness. I think I learned more from the women than they did from me. That's how life is sometimes. You think you are going to be of service to someone else but you end up being served. And it is in those moments that you realize how valuable the spiritual bond between women really is. For this reason, MNIA, Inc. is going to continue working with the women at N Street and have made a pact to continue to support this mission in uplifting women globally.

December 13, 2008

For the Christmas season, I made a trip to Los Angeles to support Miss Nigeria in America, 2007, Ms. Peace Amadi, as MNIA, Inc. returned to PATH Regional Homeless Center. This year marks the third year MNIA has been involved with PATH. With a mission that seeks to "break the cycle of homelessness by empowering people with the tools for self-sufficiency," PATH assists their members with finding work, securing housing, and life empowerment. Their "hand up" approach (as opposed to a "hand out") to tackling the growing problem of homelessness is innovative and simply inspirational. This event seemed to me to be the epitome of selfless service:it was not about MNIA at all that day, it was about the men and women at PATH. Everything we did was a full commitment to ensuring that the people at PATH felt the love that only the holidays can bring. While preparing the meal for that evening we put more than our foot into it, we put our hearts, our souls, and every fiber of our being. And as we sang the Christmas carols, we poured out our hearts. I read this quote that seems fitting for this event: The best exercise for the heart is to bend over and help someone out." And I can honestly say that we got a full workout.

As you can see, the first 4 months have been a tailspin of adventure and appearances. With magazine interviews, photo shoots, invitations to various events, and a large network of supporters and contributors, I truly feel like a queen. I also feel extremely supported. Everywhere I go and everyone I have met has shown me nothing but love and support. They want to help. People want to be involved in the changes that Nigeria is beginning to see. They are excited about fresh ideas and persons who are committed to resolving the problems that thwart the growth and development of such a strong nation. I thank everyone for their support. It is truly what keeps me going.

If people are excited about the past 4 months, just wait until you see what I have in store. 2009 is a big year for the world and I plan to do my part and, as my sister Dupe always says, leave my footprint on the world!

Much Love,

Ronke Abidemi Oke
Miss Nigeria in America 2008

Day 3 & 4 -(Saturday and Sunday)

Well nothing much happened this weekend as I will be going to the doctor tomorrow to check out why this bad cold keeps resurfacing... I have nothing to report today and I will continue my journal tomorrow. I will be back in full swing....

I know some of you came to read thinking I had posted something new today but I didn't so I encourage you to go back to my previous posts and read about Diabetes, the types of diabetes and causes

Here were the questions and my responses that I posed on Friday

1. Do I go to the gym? If so, is my workout routine working? Do I do enough exercise?
Well I go to the gym but not as often as I should and I have made a commitment to myself to try harder. I have a couple of classes scheduled for this week and I bought a skipping rope.

2. How much do I weigh? Try this test and figure out what your weight should be http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/body.htm

Wow..(Did I ask this questions lol) Okay I weigh 165pounds. In other words, I gained a cool 25 pounds which I intend to lose in the next couple of months. My weight for my age and height is supposed to be 140 pounds.

3. What commitments will I make to myself now to make sure I stay healthy.
I am committed to eating healthy, exercising and keeping fit.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. I promise a full week of exercise, information and a lot more to help us with the Diabetes Awareness Week.

Love

ChiChi Dike
MNIA, Inc.

Day 2 - May 16, 2008

I was not able to go the gym today because I am still down with a cold and I am hoping to get some antibiotics on Monday. But needless to say, I intend to go to my kick boxing class tomorrow morning so at least I can get my strength and energy. I intend to uphold my commitment of riding on June 14, 2008 to create awareness for Diabetes. Yesterday, I put up information about Diabetes and the different types of Diabetes. I also posed some questions which I hoped you asked yourselves and possibly answered.
My own answers are below:
1. Does Diabetes run in my family?
No, not to my knowledge but since Nigeria does not have good records of family history, I don’t know my grandparents/great-grandparents history so I will make a conscious effort to keep myself informed and stay healthy
2. If so, what kind of Diabetes does my family member have?
N/A
3. Am I fully aware and informed about Diabetes and the type of Diabetes that my family member has?
After researching and writing on this blog, I will say I have learnt more than I knew before.

For the next couple of days, we will focus on the risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes. Suich risk factors include:

1. Obesity
2. Sedentary Lifestyle
3. Unhealthy Eating Habits
4. Family History and Genetic
5. . Increased Age
6. High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol

Our topic today will focus on Obesity, the definition of Obesity and ways to stay fit and healthy

Obesity
The number one risk factor for type 2 diabetes is obesity. The National Center for Health Statistics states that 30% of adults are obese. That's about 60 million people. I know we have heard the word several times but what does Obesity really mean?

Obesity is a condition in which the natural energy reserve, stored in the fatty tissue of humans and other mammals, exceeds healthy limits. It is commonly defined as a body mass index (weight divided by height squared) of 30 kg/m2 or higher.

Although obesity is an individual clinical condition, some authorities view it as a serious and growing public health problem. Some studies show that excessive body weight has been shown to predispose to various diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus type 2, sleep apnea and osteoarthritis
Greater weight means a higher risk of insulin resistance, because fat interferes with the body's ability to use insulin. According to the same study, the number of overweight kids has tripled since 1980. The number of children being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes has also risen. (Information culled from (http://diabetes.about.com)

Ways to prevent Obesity
Properly measuring and balancing your calorie intake and expenditures allows you to modify your lifestyle at a comfortably manageable rate until your modifications become new lifestyle habits. You can include all of your favorite foods as part of a well-balanced calorie-controlled diet. You can engage in any activity you enjoy, no matter how insignificant the amount or intensity—the calorie expenditures all add up. Finally, you can trim down body fat at a safe and comfortable rate, and keep it within an acceptable range. Following the correct numbers gives you the ultimate power and flexibility when managing your weight.

Many of the strategies that produce successful weight loss and maintenance help prevent obesity. Improving eating habits and increasing physical activity play a vital role in preventing obesity. Recommendations for adults include:

1. Eat five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables daily. A vegetable serving is one cup of raw vegetables or one-half cup of cooked vegetables or vegetable juice. A fruit serving is one piece of small to medium fresh fruit, one-half cup of canned or fresh fruit or fruit juice, or one-fourth cup of dried fruit.

2.Choose whole grain foods such as brown rice and whole wheat bread. Avoid highly processed foods made with refined white sugar, flour, and saturated fat.

3.Weigh and measure food in order to be able to gain an understanding of portion sizes. For example, a 3-ounce serving of meat is the size of a deck of cards. Avoid supersized menu items.

4.Balance the food “checkbook.” Taking in more calories than are expended for energy will result in weight gain. Regularly monitor weight.

5.Avoid foods that are high in “energy density,” or that have a lot of calories in a small amount of food. For example, a large cheeseburger with a large order of fries may have almost 1,000 calories and 30 or more grams of fat. By ordering a grilled chicken sandwich or a plain hamburger and a small salad with low-fat dressing, you can avoid hundreds of calories and eliminate much of the fat intake. For dessert, have fruit or a piece of angel food cake rather than the “death by chocolate” special or three pieces of home-made pie.

6. Remember that much may be achieved with proper choices in serving sizes.

7.Accumulate at least 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity activity on most, or preferably all, days of the week. Examples of moderate intensity exercise are walking a 15-minute mile, or weeding and hoeing a garden.
Look for opportunities during the day to perform even ten or 15 minutes of some type of activity, such as walking around the block or up and down a few flights of stairs.

(Information culled from http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/adult_diabetes/obpreven.cfm)

Questions

1. Do I go to the gym? If so, is my workout routine working? Do I do enough exercise?
2. How much do I weigh? Try this test and figure out what your weight should be http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/body.htm
3. What commitments will I make to myself now to make sure I stay healthy.

Thanks!

ChiChi
MNIA, Inc.
Miss Nigeria in America 2008
Live from Los Angeles, CA

Day 1 – May 15, 2008 (Tour De Cure -Diabetes Race Diary)

I would have started this 30 Days to the Race on Monday but I have been down with a terrible cold and I have not had a chance to do anything!

I have mustered energy and will start my diary today. My name is ChiChi – Executive Director/Founder of MNIA, Inc. - producers of the Miss Nigeria in America Beauty Pageant. One of our numerous goals include promoting education and to seek global advancement for the Nigerian Woman. We have a very strong mission of “Service and Commitment to our Community and our vision is to “Empower Women through Globalization and Education.”

Having said all that, June 14, 2008, MNIA will ride alongside the Miss Nigeria in America 2007 – Peace Amadi at the 2008 Tour De Cure that will be held at the El Dorado Park in Long Beach, CA and we are preparing for this race.

For the next 30 days, I invite you to join me on my journey as I work out to prepare for this race. I will also share some important information on Diabetes and I hope you all can learn from it. There are questions at the end that I want you to answer to yourself. Ask yourself those questions and get acclimated with Diabetes and other surrounding things. I have provided the website where I got the information from. Please feel free to surf and provide me with feedback. All this information you can read on the Directors Desk at http://www.missnigeriainamerica.org/v2/cont_about_directors.php and also at http://www.nigerianwoman.blogspot.com

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disorder that affects the way your body uses food for energy. Normally, the sugar you take in is digested and broken down to a simple sugar, known as glucose. The glucose then circulates in your blood where it waits to enter cells to be used as fuel. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps move the glucose into cells. A healthy pancreas adjusts the amount of insulin based on the level of glucose. But, if you have diabetes, this process breaks down, and blood sugar levels become too high.

There are two main types of full-blown diabetes. People with Type 1 diabetes are completely unable to produce insulin. People with Type 2 diabetes can produce insulin, but their cells don't respond to it. In either case, the glucose can't move into the cells and blood glucose levels can become high. Over time, these high glucose levels can cause serious complications.

Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a completely different disease than Type 2. Type 1 is an autoimmune disease of the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. Scientists believe that it may be a virus that triggers the immune system to attack the cells and permanently destroy them. The pancreas can no longer make the insulin necessary to transport sugar from the blood into the other cells of the body for energy. Sugar builds up in the blood and over time can damage internal organs and blood vessels.

Type 2 Diabetes
A person with Type 2 diabetes has adequate insulin, but the cells have become resistant to it. Type 2 usually occurs in adults over 35 years old, but can affect anyone, including children. The National Institutes of Health state that 95 percent of all diabetes cases are Type 2. Why? It's a lifestyle disease, triggered by obesity, a lack of exercise, increased age and to some degree, genetic predisposition.

All information culled from http://diabetes.about.com

Questions

1. Does Diabetes run in my family?
2. If so, what kind of Diabetes does my family member have?
3. Am I fully aware and informed about Diabetes and the type of Diabetes that my family member has?

These questions are intended to help you become more aware about Diabetes and educate about it.

ChiChi
MNIA, Inc.
Miss Nigeria in America 2008
Live from Los Angeles, CA

Diabetes Awareness Week by Peace Amadi - Miss Nigeria in America 2007

Diabetes Awareness Week - St. Raphael School, Los Angeles, CA

I’ve worked at St. Raphael School for almost 3 years now. And as the school counselor, I’ve come to know my students very well. I know how they are doing personally as well as academically. I also know how well (or not well) they are caring for their health. I’ve seen the endless amount of chips and cookies they consume each day and amount of fast foods and fried foods they eat. I’ve heard all of the excuses they use to try and get out of P.E., as if it’s the biggest waste of their time. Consequently, I’ve watched many of them battle weight problems and even become an example of childhood obesity. So when I began thinking about venues for creating awareness around diabetes, St. Raphael School seemed like a perfect choice. After a couple weeks of bouncing around ideas and talking with the school principal and faculty, the 1st-ever Diabetes Awareness Week was set in motion. The Diabetes Week was from Monday, April 28 through Thursday, May 1, 2008.

Monday, April 28th, 2008
This marked the kick-off. When a majority of the students raised their hands in response to the question: “How many of you know somebody who has diabetes?” I knew we were doing a good thing. We introduced Diabetes Awareness Week to the students and encouraged everyone to learn something new. I’d prepared a kid-friendly power-point presentation to teach the kids about diabetes. I wanted them to know what diabetes was, who it affected, and how we could prevent it. I wanted them to walk away understanding the seriousness of the disease, but also feeling empowered that they could so something about it. In teaching the kids about diabetes, I realized one thing. Kids are motivated to learn about “real life.” As the teachers and I shared our personal experiences with diabetes, the students began to open up and share theirs as well. One 4th-grad girl shared that three of her family members had diabetes and that she was scared of what would happen to them. As I comforted her and encouraged her to share what she was learning with her family members, I watched the other students grow even more attentive than they’d been earlier. It was clear they were eager to learn.

Tuesday, April 29th, 2008
Tuesday’s theme was “Eating Healthy.” The goal was to emphasize the effect our eating habits have on our health. I had the students create a “Food Diary” where they listed the foods they had eaten in the past week and were asked to evaluate them according to the U.S. National Heart, Blood, & Lung Institute “Go, Slow, & Whoa” Chart – a chart that tells us how often we should eat certain types of food based on how good they are for us. One 8th-grade student ran up to me during break time and shared her concerns: “Ms. Amadi, I had to circle ‘whoa’ on most of my foods,” she said. “I didn’t know I ate so badly.” I assured her that a lot of students were probably feeling that way and that she should use this as an opportunity to develop better eating habits. I also told her how proud I was of her for being honest with herself. It’s often that brutal honesty with ourselves, that ability to look inward, that is the beginning of change.

Wednesday, April 30th, 2008/Thursday, May 1, 2008
These days went as planned as we talked about the importance of staying active and played “Diabetes Jeopardy” to test the student’s new knowledge. Sure, not every one was ready to go be a spokesperson for the American Diabetes Association, mixing up terms like “insulin” for “glucose” and “high blood sugar” for “high blood pressure.” But it was clear that everybody had learned something. “I learned that if you don’t eat fruits and vegetables, you’ll get sick,” one 1st-grader told me. “And you’ll have to go to the hospital,” another chimed in, “and you might die!” Wow, I thought to myself. Enough said!

All in all, I was really proud of the way the students engaged themselves during the week. And to my satisfaction, some students and teachers have already asked me about doing this again next year! By doing this, I was reminded that in thinking about how we can “change the world,” we don’t we have to look very far. We are always in some sort of a position to positively impact the people the around us. I’m glad to have started something new at St Raphael’s, something that I know will continue to be of value to the students and faculty. And yes, I will be doing this again next year!

The next major Diabetes Awareness Program is the Tour De Cure Bicycle Race that will be held in Long Beach, CA on Saturday, June 14, 2008 at El Dorado Park. We are Team Nigeria and I will be spearheading this race to continue to raise awareness for Diabetes among Nigerians and Nigerians in the Diaspora. Please continue to check back for more updates and be sure to log on to www.missnigeriainamerica.orgfor more information on MNIA, Inc.

With love,
Peace Amadi
Miss Nigeria in America 2007

To book the Miss Nigeria in America 2007 for an appearance or event, please email Chioma Dike (Publicist) at chio_di@missnigeriainamerica.org or call 310.926.2316