On January 20, Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th US President. Pupils around the world shared their views via the Obamarama.

We have been catching up with pupils at Earlington Secondary School in South Africa and the Convent School in Pakistan.

At the start of the President's first term, South African pupils shared their optimism; in Pakistan, some expressed grave doubts.  How do they see him now?

"I have even more admiration and respect for him," says Jevika

At Earlington Secondary School in South Africa, Jevika, was an enthusiastic supporter of Obama in January.  She was inspired to write a poem, "Obama Magic" for the incoming US President.

She is still very positive. 

"I have always viewed Barack Obama as a powerful, courageous and confident man who has the ability to change the world," she writes. "Since his inauguration I have even more admiration and respect for him."

Jevika thinks the US President thrives under pressure.  "His work load is unbelievable, yet he still does it to the best of his ability.  He speaks freely and from the heart.  He means what he says and is sincere in everything he does."

Jevika rates his approach to global warming as Obama's most important contribution since January.  "He has emphasized to America and the world how important the issue of global warming is," she writes.  "He has raised the development of a green economy to the top of America's agenda.  He's not only helping America but also the world."

When we asked Jevika what is the greatest challenge Obama faces, she focussed on high expectations.  "Many expect him to refloat the sinking economy, fix shattered financial systems, curb unemployment, end America's disastrous wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and restore peace in the Middle East," she explained.  "He has a long road ahead and he has just started the journey."

"Barack Obama will save the world," says Anele

In January, Earlington pupil Anele was also excited about the incoming US President. She commented on the process of change in South Africa and reflected on her family's involvement in the struggle against apartheid. "Like the caterpillar," she wrote, "South Africa is in a metamorphic process."

This year Anele has witnessed many problems among her friends.  "My biggest challenge is being a teenager in 2009," she writes, "and seeing my friends become victims of drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, abuse, rape, suicide, crime, and STIs. It kills me that I have failed to do something to help them overcome all these negative activities." 

Anele has continued to draw inspiration from Obama's political campaign. 'Yes We Can' inspired her to evaluate her own potential. "I found out who I am," Anele writes, "I realized the energies that lie untapped within me, and the changes - if directed constructively - it would have on the world."

The US President is a source of hope. "Now more than ever, I believe that Barack Obama will save the world slowly but surely. His name alone induces hope and allows people to believe that anything is possible."

Anele is concerned that Americans will become frustrated with the pace of change, or not take part themselves. "Obama's biggest challenge is getting Americans to see that only joint efforts of every American will ensure the desired goals are reached."

Like her school mate, Anele also warns against too much expectation: "The whole world sees him as the answer to the interminable list of problems that need to be resolved."

"I don't feel good about Obama," says Shehr

At the start of the year, 16 year old Shehr, a pupil at the Convent School, described the scenes in Pakistan she wanted the incoming US President to see.

"I would show him the gypsy settlements where Afghani women cut grass to earn a few pennies here and there. I would show him little Afghani children begging at every roadside and climbing on trees to eat raw fruits. I would show him the endless stream of bone thin Afghani men sitting on sidewalks with their spades, waiting for work as builders or diggers.  I would show him the desperation in their eyes.

"I would show him what America has done to Afghanis."

Shehr did not have high hopes for the new US President and was sceptical about his stance on Guantanamo Bay.

Looking back, Shehr feels that her misgivings were justified.

"I think we've seen enough to make a conclusion about Mr Obama. If he hasn't been able to stop the drone attacks then he's no better than Mr Bush," she says.

"Besides, America's not going to change their foreign policy for every coming president, so their policy of exploitation and that mentality towards the Muslim states is going to remain the same. So even if the face changes, the intentions are going to remain the same.

"Also, I feel that American thinktanks have employed a clever tactic to bring up a face that was previously from a Muslim family to cheat on Muslims, so I don't feel good about Obama."

"I'm hoping for the best," says Nida

At the time of Obama's inauguration, Nida set a challenge for the President: "I would like for him to understand how the rich bathe in luxuries while the poor continue to starve. If he truly could, I would want him to eradicate corruption from all corners of the society!"

What does Nida think of Obama now? "I'm not exactly sure, I think it's too soon to make conclusions so I'm hoping for the best. I'm not sure where it's going, so we'll have to wait and see."

"Right now I can't make a final decision," says Sharjeel

Sharjeel agrees: "I haven't seen much of his foreign policy yet. They talk about drone attacks but there are many other cases in the future from which we can make a good conclusion. Right now I can't make a final conclusion."

Sharjeel's classmates are also keeping an open mind about Obama: "He's going to be good for his country for sure, but that doesn't mean he's going to be good for Pakistan or the Muslim world. Personally I will make my decisions about Obama when he shuts down Guantanamo Bay."

"It's too soon to make judgements," says another. "I would like to remain optimistic and hope for a better future."

If your school would like to update Obamaramas from January, or send in your views email us at worldclass@bbc.co.uk and we will send questions for your class.

Read more Obamaramas.
Read the World Class update on Earlington School's partnership with Prince Henry's Grammar in the UK.
Listen to young people talking about Pakistan's future on BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents.

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