On the Journey with President Clinton
Submitted by: Eric Nonacs
Foreign Policy Advisor to President Clinton
Traveling abroad with President Clinton is always an honor. It’s also exhausting. I’m up at 4 this morning to catch a flight to Malawi to check out some of the work our Clinton Hunter Development Initiative is doing to help farmers in one of the poorest and driest areas of the country. Though it’s enormously exciting work to see firsthand, I’m definitely going to need some coffee.
Yesterday’s itinerary was packed as well. I had the privilege of joining President Clinton on a visit he made to the John Mitchell Primary School in the Jeppestown section of Johannesburg, to visit with City Year South Africa a local branch of the dynamic American youth service organization. City Year made a commitment at the 2006 Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative to double the size of its program in South Africa, and it was amazing to meet with young leaders who are dedicating their time and talents to their community. There is nothing like spending time around children — with all of their exuberance, enthusiasm, and hopefulness — to sweep away the pessimism that can sometimes engulf you when you focus on issues like poverty and HIV/AIDS in the developing world. All of us who accompanied President Clinton today were reminded why the work of the Foundation is so important.
Prior to visiting with City Year, our group had a singular meeting with Nelson Mandela, a personal hero of mine, who is, in a very real sense, the “father” of South Africa. Visiting the school, I thought about how those kids are the heirs to President Mandela’s legacy and embody the future of South Africa. But these young people aren’t thinking about that – they’re just focused on what they can do to make an impact today.
All in all, the trip has gotten off to an inspiring start. Everyone headed to Malawi today is in high spirits despite the early hour, and hopefully my fellow travelers will be able to send updates in the week ahead.
July 20th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
How cool to meet Nelson Mandela!!!!1
July 20th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
To: Eric Nonacs
Foreign Policy Advisor
The important work and packed itinerary is a primary focus for an inspiring commitment in leadership. Congratulations, on your work.
MsSchal
July 20th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
Mr. Nonacs,
Interesting to read your blog. I am sure you will have a very eventful trip to Africa. Glad to read about children and their enthusiasm, to sweep away their pessimism is a great work of act of a leader. I always felt that such an act is impossible considering the children are growing up in a limited resource environment.
I hope Clinton foundation can reach to more and more children all over the world.
Best Wishes,
Sonali
July 20th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
Mr.Nonacs,
Very good work you did! I was a security body guard to some VIP in Beijing few years ago, I fully understand your feeling of exhausting and honor.
really admiring your staying with President Clinton, keep on, Gol bless!
July 21st, 2007 at 4:30 am
Dear our belove president \
we hope when you move with President clinton it is apleasure to the world and Africa at large
we wish the foundation will be of more help to the children than never before
l remain praying for your trips
July 21st, 2007 at 7:08 am
Respected President Clinton,
Congratulations for your service to the very poor and neglected people of Africa.You are doing great service to the humanity.People like Mother Theresa were doing service to the people from their early days.You were the most powerfull man for eight years. Serving the people after enjoying such vast powers, needs greatest sacrifices of your personel needs and comforts.What you said before leaving the Whitehouse is worth remembering.You told that because of your efforts,peace returned to most of the conflicting areas of the world.You told, “I am leaving a more peaceful world than what i inherited.” If each and every ruler in this world work with this motto ,this earth itself would become an Heaven.Humanity will be greatfull to you for your service to the very poor, especially the chijdren.
July 21st, 2007 at 7:55 am
I too hope your fellow travelers will have an opportunity to write updates during your journey. It will be interesting to note not only the troubling spots that you find, but also any pinpoints of light that are found at each one of your stops. Thanks for the update and starting the journey by describing a vision and goal that these leaders, both young and old, share.
July 21st, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Dear President Clinton,
This has nothing to do with your extrodinary mission in Africa right now, but everything to do with the great man that you are and I want to share on this blog just what that is. My 95 year old mother & I had the pleasure of meeting you in Portland, OR on the evening of 4-17-07 at The Arlene Scnitzer Concert Hall where you were to give a speech for The World Affairs Council of Oregon. We attended a personal meeting with you and 90 or so other people before your speech to have our picture taken with you as it meant so much to Mother as well as myself. As soon as you walked in to the room you came right over to her and took her hand in both of yours and made her feel like the most important person in the room. You then bent over and gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead and she was back to her teenage years as though Frank Sinatra had come back to life. The moment is captured on film and protected by museum quality glass as it is a moment of extreme joy in her long life and something I can hold on to long after she’s gone from me and remember & cherish for the rest of my life. For that evening you made her heart sing as it continues to do whenever she looks at it.
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for showing her such special attention when you could just as well have done your obligatory picture and gone on with it.
I shared this very special & private event on your blog just to give people who haven’t had this great opportunity that you are truly a wonderful, sincere humanitarian.
Our physician also arranged for her to have a private meeting with Hillary when she was in Portland 1-27-06 who was eqally as kind and warm to her (without the kiss)! Don’t ever let it be said that she is a cold woman. How far from the truth.
Both you and Hillary are extremely special people.
Forever Grateful,
Pamela & Mary Sigler
July 21st, 2007 at 2:02 pm
When I was growing up, I never imagined that Nelson Mandela would be free, and then become the leader of a free South Africa, but it happened. I never imagined the Berlin Wall would come down or that communism would end in the Soviet Union. All those unexpected things happened. So with hope, it is possible to imagine a world free of AIDS. It also possible to imagine a world where there is a complete peace between Muslim and Christian countries, too.
Nelson Mandela did not become free on his own; it took the work and hope of a multitude of people. It takes all of us to make the world better. Thank you, to everyone who helps, in small ways, and in big ways.
July 21st, 2007 at 7:34 pm
Eric, you wrote “There is nothing like spending time around children — with all of their exuberance, enthusiasm, and hopefulness — to sweep away the pessimism that can sometimes engulf you when you focus on issues like poverty and HIV/AIDS in the developing world. ”
thanx for this statement, they’re the reason folks like me embrace the hope of a good tomorrow for them in africa. these kids are worth campaigning, lobbying, fighting, and working for. and i thank you for for your awesome work as foreign policy advisor to President Clinton. stay safe and well on this journey.
stay close,
sammi f(red)enburg in seattle =)
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:49 pm
BILL CLINTON is the one who help poor , we are suporting him for allways. may the clintonfoundation goes for more and more, thank you for your hardwork. from the poor children of BURKINA FASO.
July 23rd, 2007 at 3:46 am
Our most dearly revered President Clinton
Good to read a lot about the work of your Foundation through the privilege of my enlistment as admirers of your Foundation.
I am impressed about your concern for African people - the main focus of your Foundation, so far. Nevertheless, I have my sentiments about the non-prominence of Nigeria in the scheme of projects of your Foundation. Perhaps, there is an explanation to clear my fear.
I have no doubt that through commissioning of independent NGOs, your Foundation will find some villages/towns in Nigeria very interesting to work on towards progressing its activities for the better living of the residents of such.
Thank you.
July 23rd, 2007 at 4:54 pm
President Clinton, I do believe deep down inside that you always remember were you come from,always their to support the poor and those in need. President Clinton you and Hillary are very special people. Please have a safe trip. Bill O’Neal
July 23rd, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Mr. President,
Your excellency,
It is a great joy to see you, our Bill, still doing the kind of work you like to do, and the kind of things I, myself, would also like to do, if I could. God must have blessed you with that gift, I would hope, it stays with you forever…
Eric
Kissimmee, FL
July 24th, 2007 at 5:51 pm
We share in your enthusiasm about the needed work in Malawi. Our son, Kevin is a Peace Corps volunteer working in the Chikwawa District. His desire to teach sustainable resource practices in his village enabling the people to produce their own food is what keeps him going everyday. We are proud to join with President Clinton and Mr. Hunter in their efforts to make a difference in “the warm heart of Africa”.
July 25th, 2007 at 11:35 pm
How warm to meet Nelson Mandela!!!!1
July 27th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
Dear President Clinton and Friends,
Thank you for the work you do. It is vitally important.
As a member of a company who built a HIV/AIDS hospital, and fully funds the staff and all its outreach centers in Tanzania, (with little to no fanfare), I applaud the stance of a global outreach. I know that often the pharmaceutical companies can become scapegoats, yet it is important to note our work is what keeps people alive, and we are willing participants in this struggle. As a salesperson selling medication, I can tell you that I was trained and taught by my company to think of each client as an individual, and to acknowledge the benefits of other medications. Let’s be honest, we all need one another and we should all honor one another.
My heart lives with people living with HIV/AIDS everywhere. I reach out to your organization to promote a dialgue for all of us in this fight.
Peace,
Lainey
July 30th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
For the exelent work you do, the world will knows ypur foundation and the good people will be help us for the great foundation ¡God for ever will be with you! ¡the humanity say Thanks a lot Bill!
August 2nd, 2007 at 11:13 pm
Mr.Clinton, I wish that I could be with you,to see the children and their families in Africa, my passion is to help them to if I could.but I can not,so I try up here in ajax to help people in need and some children on the street that are hungry and dirty. Some call be angel , seeing their sad eyes cry,cause they are so happy to get anything,in their stomache. Mr.Clinton keep up the great work that you are doing. Love your compassion Sir for others and helping them to be happy,and see a smile on their face. that would be my reward. just to see them SMILE. LILLIAN :)
August 5th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
I will like to first of all congratulate Mr BILL CLINTON for his effort ;my GOD the most high continue to increases your wisdom and courage to execute all your mission that you are trying to achieve.I believe that he is one of the most brave man the world have seen in the past 20years.Continue your good work Mr president,i pray for you that God will grant you heaven.And i also hope that i will meet with Mr Bill Clinton in the future. TONY PRESLEY DAKAR SENEGAL
August 5th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
thank you all at Bill clinton foundation
August 8th, 2007 at 3:18 am
thank you all at Bill clinton foundation
August 8th, 2007 at 9:52 am
Nice joining a humanitarian group like that of Clinton. Only God knows how to reward those who sacrifice their lives and time for others. I pray him to accord many more years to President Clinton and this wonderful Foundation.
August 9th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
Dear Mr.President
As I have been saying in my former mails thank’s to god we have you,to give us hope to fight for this world of our’s wich becomes every day smoller and smoller and very eil, but how ever your job Mr.President it takes brave moves wich you are makeing. I am from a very dangerous region in heart of europe and I now well what effort’s it takes to say the reason why we should fight together and to prove that we can do that this world can become a better world to live and to call our selfs a human been.
Best Regards Mr.President
Sincerely
Armend Musliu
August 11th, 2007 at 2:46 am
What former american president bill clinton is doing for Africa is great. Wish our African leaders would emulate.