The girl with Obama's bouquet

To a nation, Joan Wamaitha, 8, is the luckiest girl in town.

Before the Friday, the orphaned class one pupil at Mariakani, Nairobi led a quiet existence. She became the envy of many, when she received the undivided attention of the world's most powerful man.

With a tiara of flowers in her hair, she stood ready for the most exciting day of her life dressed in a white princess dress that fell a few inches shy of her ankles; a cream cape, guarding her from the evening chill perfectly matching her pumps. Her hands enclosed by beribboned satin gloves she held the bouquet of yellow tulips and tiger lilies and waited.

Along with her, the world waited as Air Force Force One bringing President Obama back to his fatherland taxied down the runway.

When he bounded down the steps of the jet to flashing cameras, hers was among the first faces he saw. He did not just pick up the proffered bouquet but stopped for one or two moments to whisper a few things to her and give her a long hug and posing for photographs.