Mark Obama Ndesandjo performs at a 2009 benefit which raised over $30,000 in cash and gifts for orphans.

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Building Multicultural Bridges Mark was invited by the American International School of Guangzhou to speak about multiculturalism and art. As part of the buildup to the school's 30th anniversary celebrations , Mark donated  a work of calligraphy to a silent auction. Proceeds will go to help children in Guangdong, China.

Shenzhen Social Center Anniversary Celebrations Mark has been volunteering at the Meilin Orphanage to teach kids piano since 2003， and helping out at the Bao An Social Welfare Centre  since 2009. The event drew local dignitaries and brought awareness to the plight of the disadvantaged in China. Mark also donated some calligraphy on a poem of the famous Tang dynasty poet Li Shang Yin.

2012 Woman's Day Forum Mark participated in a  forum hosted by the Shenzhen Government and local NGOs. He took the opportunity to speak out against domestic violence and the importance of setting up a domestic violence hotline, and setting up paths to higher education for women.

New CDs available on Amazon Reflections on William Blake, a compilation of Mark's compositions for piano, and The Untimely Ones, a collection of piano works played by Mark and recorded before he came to  China, are now available on amazon.com for purchase. Enjoy!

New Calligraphy! For the past year Mark has been working on a major calligraphy project. The 36 Strategies is a less well-known counterpart to the Art of War. The project consists of 36 works of 4 character xing cao calligraphy, each frame depicting a classic strategy of war. Check it Out!

Book launches in Beijing and Shanghai The Chinese language version book signings and media events were well received, including a question and answer session with readers at  the Shanghai Book Fair.

New York Times Op-Ed Publishes an excerpt from Mark's memoir about the city of Shenzhen.

Mark's Story

Born in Kenya and a nine year resident of Shenzhen, People's Republic of China, Mark Okoth Obama Ndesandjo is an accomplished pianist, writer, artist and businessman. He has a BSc. Physics (also completed BA math requirements) from Brown University, an MSc Physics from Stanford and is an EmoryEMBA graduate. He consults worldwide, using over 15 years of telecommunications and international marketing and branding experience gained as a senior manager at Lucent, Nortel and other companies. He is an HSK L7 (advanced) Mandarin speaker and writer, and an avid brush calligrapher. In addition to his first book, Nairobi to Shenzhen, he has  completed a memoir and published 3 piano CDs, The Untimely Ones, Night Moods and his own composition Reflections on William Blake. He regularly gives piano lessons to orphans in and around Shenzhen. Mr Obama Ndesandjo has been appointed Volunteer Image Ambassador and Special Olympics Image Ambassador by China.

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. 

Help The Kids Click here for more on Help the Kids
"Over 7 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.