 |
|
|
| More News |
|
| 10 Year Anniversary Road Trip Survey |
| | In late 2024 and the beginning of 2025 Mark and his wife Xuehua visited some schools in China to assess the success of our music programs, particularly the Piano+1 music program. Our surprise visits (with half a day’s notice) helped ensure we saw the unvarnished use of the instruments. We rented a car and visited the following schools in China:
▷ Naxi Elementary School in Baisha, Lijiang (Yunnan) (2025 Donation)
▷ Ninliang Primary School (Yunnan) (2025 Donation)
▷ Panyu District Social Welfare Institute of Guangzhou in Guangdong(2015 Donation)
▷ Jiufeng School of Xijiang Township, Hengyang in Henan (2015 Donation)
▷ Zhiyuan School of Honglang in Sichuan (2015 Donation)
▷ Duo Yue Zheng Primary School
▷ Pengshan District Experimental Primary School in Sichuan (2015 Donation)
These 6 schools and 1 orphanage provide art and music programs to collectively over 9000 primary school students.
Key Observations and Recommendations
▷ One School refused to let us see the piano we donated. Recommendation: Communicate more frequently, revise agreement stipulations to help ensure access.
▷ 2 schools have expanded the program twice and four times the size of the initial program respectively
▷ The orphanage granted us limited access to the children. Recommendation: Build trust in future outreach based upon Mark’s previous success teaching in the Shenzhen orphanages.
▷ 1 school had a thriving music program, although some of the donated instruments were missing. The piano also needed a technician for some minor repairs.
▷ Most of the pianos were in good to excellent condition.
▷ All the teachers and staff we met were extremely pleased with the donations. One teacher said: “The kids are really happy to have music lessons. They gather in the class even before I arrive and eagerly hold open the door for me!”
In conclusion, the programs illustrate how seeding programs in music education take on a life of their own, expanding and including more students than initially. The Piano+1 program in China is a great success, and proves the value of art in the lives of children! However, occasional checks on progress will help to ensure longevity. |
| |
Art students in Sichuan, China |
|
|
 |
Help The Kids | The Mark Obama Foundation Ltd's goal is to foster cultural exchanges between Asia, America and Africa, with an emphasis on helping young people appreciate art. "Over 12 years ago I was drawn to China by its rich culture, the warmth and dynamism of its people and the opportunity to help kids in need. Since then I have wanted to make people aware of the plight of the orphans that I work with. As an American raised in the beautiful land of Kenya and a member of a global family I strongly believe that every one of us has a moral obligation to help others in need, even if it is just for five minutes each day. I want this book to help us raise awareness of domestic violence, help improve the lives of disadvantaged children, and above all, to help bring people together through the power of love." - Mark Okoth Obama Ndesandjo. 
Kids and Dreams (US Embassy Tirana) | 
Meeting a reader at the Shanghai Book Fair (Eastday) |
|
| |
|
 |
| Chinese Brush Painting | | | | Chinese calligraphy is a unique and rich art. It is not only an art form more than three thousand years old but has evolved and influenced Asian art in innumerable ways. The tools are simple: rice paper, a soft hair brush and black ink. Although Chinese has more than forty thousand characters, it only uses seven basic strokes. However, because of the malleability of the hair brush and the innumerable permutations of each character, it is quite difficult to master. If the stroke is too fast, the result is an ugly white gap. If too slow, the ink bleeds over the paper. Ideal calligraphy, therefore, is almost like dancing in its blending of speed, direction and pressure. |  |  |  | | Fortune and Peace (Calligraphy: M. Obama Ndesandjo) | China's Rich Culture (Calligraphy: M. Obama Ndesandjo) | It's Hard Being Foolish (Calligraphy: M. Obama Ndesandjo) |
| | | | About the novel Nairobi To Shenzhen | | | | The protagonist, upon arriving in China in the wake of 911 and the onset of a terrifying global war, is forced to confront his early experiences in Kenya and the United States as a result of his growing love for a beautiful Chinese woman and a young orphan. Parallels between his own upbringing and the potential family that lies before him lead to questions about his true identity, the complexities of his multi-racial family and the relationship he had known with his father. 15% of profits from book sales are donated to help disadvantaged children. |
| |
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
Thank you for considering helping the Mark Obama Ndesandjo Foundation! The Mark Obama Ndesandjo Foundation Limited is a charity which promotes the education, development, understanding and valuing of diverse classical and modern art and music, particularly among the young and the disadvantaged. A portion of profits from Mark’s music recordings and book sales will also contribute to the fund. in Hong Kong, we are registered under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap.112) and donations are tax-deductible. From time to time, we will partner with other organizations who can offer tax benefits on a case by case basis. The Board of Management comprises 5 Councillors (including the Chairman) who meet annually and are consulted on proposals and fund solicitations. All positions are voluntary and unpaid.
|
|
|
| Ukraine refugee farewell concert for Piano+1 program |
| |
|
|
| Friends and donations in Lijiang |
| |
 |
| Mark and one of his most promising music and calligraphy proteges, Huihui. |
| |
|
|
|
 |
Celebrating Shenzhen Welfare Center's 20th Anniversary | |
| |
 |
Mark at the Shenzhen Anti-Domestic Violence Centre | |
| |
 |
Calligraphy demonstration in Beijing at UIBE. | |
| |
 |
Talking Culture at the American International School in Guangzhou | |
| |
 |
Performing in Guangzhou | |
| |
|
|
