There are several things we do in the hope for something good. We plant a sapling, hoping for it to turn into a huge tree, we study hard, hoping to find ‘the job’, and sometimes, we take a small step in the hope for a better tomorrow.
Mari writes a letter
Amariyanna ‘Mari’ Copeny, was just six years old when the water crisis started in Flint, Michigan, the U.S. She and her friends were no longer allowed to play in the water, and had to consume only bottled water.
Flint’s water crisis started in April 2014, when, to save costs, Michigan officials decided to switch Flint’s water supply from Lake Huron and the Detroit River to the Flint River without properly treating the water. This resulted in the people of Flint being exposed to dangerously high levels of bacteria and lead, creating health complications.
In March 2016, Mari and other residents of Flint were to visit Washington D.C. to witness their then Governor Rick Snyder testify before Congress about the Flint crisis. Before she started for the trip, Mari decided to write a letter to then President Barack Obama. Addressing herself as ‘Little Miss Flint’, Mari asked if the President or the First Lady Michelle Obama could meet Mari and the other residents during their visit to the capital, Mari also detailed the ordeals of the people.
However, the meeting couldn’t take place during their visit.
The President responds
Almost a month had passed since their visit to Flint when Mari’s mom received a call from an unknown number. It was a representative from the White House. He called to let her know that the President had read Mari’s letter and was moved by it. He informed her that the President would be personally replying to Mari’s letter by e-mail, and an official letter would be sent via post. Mari’s mother’s joy knew no bounds when the representative said that the President would like to meet Mari in Flint.
Mari, who was at school during the call, was informed by her mother bout the same. She decided on wearing the ‘Little Miss Flint’ sash that she had earned for winning a pageant.
And, the President did come to Flint a few days later to meet Mari and the other residents ad listen to their woes.
When she saw the President, she went running to him, and he lift her up and gave her a hug.
Mari’s letter to the President brought him to her home and led to stringent measures by the government to solve Flint’s water crisis.
In her own words, the President’s reply and subsequent trip to Flint proved her “that a kid can change the world.”
What makes her special?
Mari always hoped for the best. She wrote a letter to the President in the hope that she would meet him and he could help the people of Flint. And, one month later, she did meet him! The purpose of her letter was also fulfilled as the U.S. government took notice of Flint’s problems and began addressing them, through the problem still persists.
Picture Credit : Google
