My China journey

Throughout my child hood I always heard stories and saw documentaries about China, but I never thought I would ever get to go to China until the first Confucius institute in Africa was opened at the University of Nairobi. It started out as a casual experience where I was to learn a second language before I started my University life. But as fate would have it that was the beginning of a wonderful journey that not only brought me to a wonderful country but also opened a door for the greatest experiences in my life.

I vividly remember a day in July 2005 when I was contemplating on what to do before my university entry. My mother suggested that I should study start a language course since I was very passionate about languages from a very young age. After enquiring from the Chinese embassy in Kenya, I applied for a Chinese language course at the University of Nairobi. I had never heard of the Confucius institute until after four months later when I received a call informing me that the Chinese teachers had finally arrived and that the Chinese language course was to start.

My first lesson is very memorable as the then Chinese ambassador, Guo Chongli, gave us the first lecture. Being one of the pioneer students at the first Confucius institute in the African continent meant having firsthand experience of the Chinese culture. Like when we celebrated the Chinese New year and we made dumplings for the first time, or when we learnt to draw a bamboo tree using black ink and brush. These first experiences were just to prepare me for a journey that I am still travelling today.

Exercise in the classroom.

It was while I was at the institute that the Confucius institute fraternity had a golden chance to meet with the then visiting Chinese president, Hu Jintao. We had prepared to meet a mysterious visitor for nearly a month before his visit and the teachers un-tediously made sure that even though we had only studied Chinese language for just a couple of months, we would be able to communicate in Chinese with him. My task was to give a welcoming speech on behalf of the Confucius institute. It was a nervous and an unforgettable moment when I stood in front of everyone and read a speech in Chinese.

After the speech was over, he courteously asked me what I would like to do when I finished studying Chinese language at the Confucius institute and I boldly answered that I would love continue my study in China and work there someday. Each of us received a Chinese-English dictionary which I always use and reminds me of that unforgettable day.

Soon after that the institute held the first preliminary of the Chinese bridge competition, a platform where international university students get to showcase their knowledge of the Chinese language and culture. The winner of the preliminary would represent their country at the final held in China. I worked very hard to prepare and my hard work paid off when I was picked as the winner and to top my trip to China, I was also offered a one year language scholarship in Tianjin Normal University. I was very proud to be the first Kenyan to participate at the Chinese Bridge.

It was the first time I ever boarded a plane let alone leave the country for the unknown. I was prepared with books and information about what to expect in China but neither was enough to prepare me for the real China experience. I arrived on a hot summer night but I had already been fore-warned. The friendly teachers from Tianjin Normal University received us and even had a bouquet of flowers ready to welcome us.

At the 4th Competition Chinese students studying in China.

The theme of that year's competition dubbed An Ethnically Diverse China lived up to its title when different participants from different cultures and backgrounds came together to showcase their understanding of the Chinese language and culture. Participants were treated to a performance of the Beijing opera at the legendary and historical Laoshe Tea house; we also visited the historical sites of the summer palace and the Great Wall. We also visited the spring city of Kunming, which reminded me of Nairobi with its cool mornings and evenings, and were treated to a wonderful performance by different minority groups of China. I was impressed at how distinct each minority group was and it reminded me of the different tribes in Kenya and how unique each is with its culture. I have participated in numerous competitions after that losing some and winning some and each was a learning experience. And meet people of various backgrounds all brought together by a common goal, the passion to learn Chinese language and culture.

The most challenging of my experience in China was the cuisine. Chinese cuisine is very distinct and numerous and for a new comer like me, it was bound to be a test. But with time I came to know and like the spicy-hot flavour of Sichuan and Hunan cuisine, the sour flavour of Shanxi, the sweet flavour preferred by the north and the salty flavour that is fancied in the south. This is all very different to the rather simple flavour in Kenya.

Curiosity might have killed the cat but mine only opened other doors to great adventures. My fascination with Chinese calligraphy led me to enrolling in a class with a master teacher of Chinese calligraphy. I leant how to hold a brush, and paint with only black ink. I learnt how to bring soul to the pictures. It was a majestic moment when I was able to draw birds out of imagination and make trees sway on solid paper. I even attempted to bring to life the African grasslands on paper all from imagination.

Chinese culture is extensive and the Chinese are proud of it. The way they have upheld it for thousands of years is truly phenomenal and it inspired me to do so for the Kenyan culture. It was refreshing to know that Kenya was written in Chinese history books when Chinese navigator Zheng He stopped in Malindi, a coastal town in Kenya and brought a piece of China with him. The friendship between Kenya and China dates back hundreds of years.

I remember the first time to celebrate the Chinese spring festival. It was during my first winter break. It cold and I was terribly missing home. The international school had organized for the few foreign students who had not gone home to come together and make dumplings, a Chinese tradition showing togetherness and unity in a family. I remember watching the spring festival gala and being dazed at how big a colourful a performance. I was awed by the gracious movements of the dancers, the elegance of the singers and the majestic change of stage back ground. My teachers told me that once a person has been on the gala they become a star overnight. It was the highlight of every artist to be selected to participate in the gala. It never occurred to me that one day I would also be standing on that majestic stage and perform with one of the most famous foreigners in China, Dashan. In 2011 Han ban, the governing body of the Confucius institute selected five of us to perform a skit and represent our various continents in the gala. I understood then the hype that is the spring festival gala. After a month of vigorous rehearsal, the day dawned and we finally stood on stage. It was a rewarding experience and one many a Chinese dreamt of. I wished to relieve the moment and my wish was fulfilled when two years later in 2013 I stood again on that stage and performed with Li Guyi, one of the best known vocalists in China.

One would say that the experience changed my life and it did. I became more determined to promote culture and be a bridge of friendship between Kenya and China. I participated in various forums which were attended by government officials. Chaired the Kenyan students studying in China alumni meeting at the Confucius institute with the then visiting Chinese leader, Li Changchun. I attended the forum for Kenyan and Chinese business where the Kenyan president and ministry officials were guest of honour. These forums have made me understand the importance of promoting friendship between both countries.

Throughout my stay in China, I have been impressed by how friendly Chinese people are. The taxi driver who is curious about your background and country, the lady at the market who will help you buy vegetables and even invite you over for a home-cooked meal, the friend who will invite you over for a New Year's eve family dinner and make you feel at home, the teacher who invites you to attend her wedding, and even strangers on the train who buy goodies for you and toast to your birthday. All this experiences are priceless and have made my eight years full of joy and laughter.

Promoting friendship and cooperation between the Kenya and China is important in the unity of the two countries and I hope that one day I can be culture emissary of Kenya to China.