Piano CD Coming Soon! The Untimely Ones, a selection of piano works played by Mark, is soon to be available on Amazon for purchase. The Album features performances of Chopin, Rachmaninoff and J.S Bach, as well as some of Marks own compositions.

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 theArt of War. The project consists of 36 works of 4 character xing cao calligraphy, each frame depicting a classic strategy of war. More information coming soon!

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. 

Supporting anti-domestic violence initiatives in Albania President Berisha  and Publisher 55 welcomed Mark at a Tirana reception for his Albanian language version of Nairobi to Shenzhen., where he performed some music and spoke against domestic violence. At a US Embassy eventMark read to Tirana schoolchidren, and urged them to follow their dreams and help others in need.

Chinese Version of Nairobi to Shenzhen Hits the Shops! Mark's book is now available in mainland China! People's Literature Publishing House has translated into Mandarin and made available this semi-autobiography about multi-cultural identity to Chinese citizens. 

Help Falasha Kids In May Mark traveled to Israel and met a remarkable group that are helping Falasha immigrants from Ethiopia and their children adjust to modern Israeli society.  The PACT program, organized out of Cleveland, Ohio,  is seeking continued support to help these families and their kids. I was privileged to visit one of their kindergarten programs in Jerusalem.

Help Kids in Disaster Areas  In April Mark and Sheraton Hotels organized a calligraphy demonstration and book signing benefit in Shenzhen to help kids in disaster areas around the world, such as China, Japan, Indonesia. Over 300,000 RMB was raised and will be disbursed by UNICEF.

Speak Up Against Domestic Violence! Mark participated in the Shenzhen Anti-Domestic Violence Forum held November 26 in Shenzhen. 

Surfing on Sumba! In Indonesia, a remarkable program managed by the Sumba Foundation provides jobs and saves lives with an ecosystem that matches tourist donations with resources that enable locals to reach fuller lives. Mark and his wife  had an enlightening visit in November...with a little surfing on the side.

Mark discusses writing, multi-culturalism, and realizing one's dreams to a young audience in Singapore On Oct, 27, on a brief visit to Singapore, Mr. Obama Ndesandjo spoke with kids at SAIC International School about dreams and attitude. 

Mr Obama Ndesandjo appointed China Special Olympics Image Ambassador Sep 27, Fujian China. Mark was invited to play piano at theopening ceremony before a nationwide audience. 

RMB 918,296 Raised! Everyone Came Together To Save Lives! The June 22 Guangzhou Help The Kids Classical Music Concertsold out the 1500 seats.

GUANGZHOU, People’s Republic of China – June 22, 2010 – As part of the ongoing “Help the Kids” project, I joined the American Chamber of Commerce in South China at the “AmCham Mead Johnson ‘Help the Kids’ Charity Concert” on June 22 at Guangzhou’s Xinghai Concert Hall.

Mark's comments: In my novel I wrote about an orphan who has a very serious heart condition and struggles to overcome it through music. There are many such children in China and the Guangzhou Children's Hospital has been able to save lives that

would otherwise be lost...for approximately 2000 dollars per operation perchild. Several days ago I partnered with the American Chamber of Commerce ofSouth China, the Guangzhou Youth League, The Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra

and well known Chinese performers to give a classical charity concert. I played solo piano and 2 duets (with Chinese virtuoso Zhao Yin Yin). We were not only sold out, but raised over 900,000RMB ($132,000 app.) from corporate

and individual contributions. This will save the lives of many children. Media also picked up on the themes of volunteerism and awareness of the kids' plight. Thanks to all of you who helped spread the word!  Following are a few photos.

Mark Obama Ndesandjo's statement at Nairobi to Shenzhen book launch in China.

Dear friends, associates, ladies and gentlemen:

First thank you for coming today. I also wish to thank my family, my parents, my siblings around the world and my wife, for their support as I was writing this book. Special thanks to Harley Seyedin and his team for their continued support in this and other charity events. I am greatly indebted to the Chinese people who, in their warmth, graciousness and magnanimity, have given me the opportunity to live, work, volunteer and create in the city of Shenzhen these past seven years.

Nairobi to Shenzhen, is my first published novel. The protagonist, upon arriving in China in the wake of 9/11 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. It will be available for purchase beginning today from major online retailers such as amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com..

This novel is a work of fiction and has been many years in the making. The characters are composites of people I have known, and the novel reflects many experiences in my own life as a child brought up in Kenya, and who has studied and lived in America and China. I first started this novel as an autobiography but as I became more involved in the extraordinary events over the past few years, life forced me into writing something much bigger than me. It became a story around four themes: domestic violence, the pursuit of one's dreams, the spirit of service and the power of love. I did not prepare these themes beforehand. It was as though my whole life had prepared me for writing this book. I wanted to make people aware of how they can change the lives of others for the better, and overcome their own flaws, making their lives and those of people around them and who are influenced by them, a little better.

Nairobi to Shenzhen is not about my brother, although President Obama has helped inspire me to come to terms with my past. It is not even really about me. It is about sons and fathers who are of the same cloth, but have weaknesses that they do not see, until it is too late. My father beat me. He beat my mother. I shut these thoughts in the back of my mind for many years. I thought they were not important. But in the middle of a man's life, it can be the death of someone close, the loss of a job (and I have been there), the loss of one's mother at an early age, as happened to my father, even the movement of millions of people from an atmosphere of fear to one of hope, that can make that man see himself anew, and change his life for better or for worse. As I was writing this book I thought of the death of my brother David many years ago and the pain of seeing my mother in an unhappy relationship. I saw the millions of people who loved or supported my brother Barack and in the process, in some weird way, I came to terms with many things that I had shut out of my life, including the Obama name. It was in this atmosphere that I completed my novel, a project I have worked on and off for almost ten years.

Many people tried to convince me to first publish an autobiography, I considered it but in the end refused: for two reasons. Firstly I wanted to be known as a writer, not for my relationship to the President. Secondly, I felt Nairobi to Shenzhen could help us all better understand the mothers, children and particularly fathers that have lost their way through drink and violence. My next step is to publish an autobiography. It has just been completed and will be available in the next several months. It will answer a lot of the questions that Nairobi to Shenzhen raises.

I also wanted to express a story not just about the American dream, but the dream of everyone everywhere, to have the strength in hard times to pick oneself up and start again. Before I left for China I lost my job, did not know where my life was going, but decided that I would make my life one of music and service.

My life, I finally realize, is about self expression, whether through music, writing or calligraphy. I decided that I wanted to find a way that I could use, even in my small way, these talents to help others. As you know 15% of the proceeds of this book will go to help disadvantaged children in China and the world. There are over 17 million orphans in China and many more elsewhere in the world. One does not have to have a university degree or make a lot of money to help others in need. For seven years I have done so in my own way. In my own way I have tried to make a difference. A few days ago, a former orphan student called me at home and told me: "Mark, I am now at a local kindergarten helping other children learn to play piano for free. Some of the children do not want to play so I give them some sweets. Now they love music." In China there is a saying.

上善若水 Shang Shan Ruo Shui

Good deeds are like water falling on flat ground, they spread around. Even if I were to sell one or two books, each helping a father to spend more time with his children, or spend five minutes actually doing something to help some kids or others in need, I will truly be satisfied.

I have avoided the media for a long time now but I have decided to give a limited number of interviews because I want to tell my story, not have others tell it for me. I also want to make a little difference in peoples lives by raising their awareness of domestic violence, the power of service and the freedom to walk one?s own path.

Thank you. I will now answer a few questions.

Proceeds of Mark Obama Ndesandjo's Nairobi to Shenzhen, set to "Help the Kids".

GUANGZHOU, People's Republic of China November 4, 2009  Mark Okoth Obama Ndesandjo, seven-year resident of Shenzhen, today announced that 15% of the proceeds of his first novel, Nairobi to Shenzhen, will be donated to charitable organizations under the banner of his Help the Kids project. The Help the Kids project, an ongoing series of events and activities organized by Mr. Ndesandjo and other community organizations, aims to improve the lives of orphaned and disadvantaged children in China and around the world through both monetary donations and volunteering.

Nairobi to Shenzhen, published in English by Aventine Press, is a semi-autobiographical meditation on multiculturalism and love. The protagonist, upon arriving in China in the wake of 9/11 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. It will be available for purchase beginning November 4 from major online retailers such as amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com.

"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," said Mr. Ndesandjo. "As an American raised in the beautiful land of Kenya and a member of a global family I strongly encourage every one of us to help others in need, even if it is just for five minutes each day. I want this book to help us raise money and awareness for these children?s situation, and above all, to help bring people together through the power of love."

In January of this year Mr. Ndesandjo worked with the American Chamber of Commerce in South China and the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation, a U.N.-certified charity, to hold a charity concert and auction in Shenzhen which raised more than 280,000 yuan (approximately $41,000) in cash and in-kind donations for orphans and the continuing relief efforts in Sichuan province, which was struck by a major earthquake in May of 2008.

One last time before Chinese New Year, AmCham South China and community leaders gather for orphans' cause

SHENZHEN, People's Republic of China  January 16, 2009  The American Chamber of Commerce in South China (AmCham South China) today welcomed more than 200 guests to its Chinese New Year Help the Kids Fundraising Party at the Interlaken Hotel.

"The reason we are here," said AmCham South China President Harley Seyedin, "is to come together as a community one last time before the Chinese New Year. The holiday season is about appreciating our good fortune, families and friends, but also realizing that there are those who do not have these things."

"This event will not only raise funds for goods and services -particularly of a musical and artistic nature - but will also make more people aware of the plight of orphans. It is the first in a series of events throughout 2009 to make the world a better place by providing an enriching artistic environment for children across the globe, and specifically South China. Please join us in this worthy effort," said Mark Ndesandjo, a longtime community volunteer who lives and works in Shenzhen.

The party continued a year-long collaboration between the AmCham South China and the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA), which has raised millions of yuan in cash and goods for the victims of the May 12 Earthquake in Sichuan and orphaned children in Guangdong and other parts of China. This most recent effort was led by four Volunteer Fundraising Leaders, including Honorary Volunteer Chairman William Chi Hung Tsang, Vice Chairman of the All China Youth Federation and President of the China World Trade Corporation, Honorary Volunteer Chairman Chen Kaizhi, Vice Chairman of the CFPA, Volunteer Chairman Mark Ndesandjo, who enlivened the party with a surprise piano performance, and Volunteer Chairman Harley Seyedin.

"We have asked every guest here tonight to make a contribution to orphans in Guangdong and in Sichuan, be it money, clothing, musical instruments, art supplies or their time," elaborated Mr. Seyedin. "To these children who face the world alone, even a hug will make a difference."

According a leading adoption agency in South China, Children whose minds are not stimulated pay for these early deficits throughout their lives... such children are far more likely than their more fortunate peers to do poorly in school, to drop out early, to be functionally illiterate, and to be only marginally employable.

About the four Volunteer Fundraising Leaders

Mr. Tsang Chi Hung (William), is Vice Chairman of the All China Youth Federation, part-time Member of the Central Policy Unit, HKSAR, Chairman of the China World Trade Corporation and a Member of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the CPPCC, among other appointments. Mr. Tsang has formerly served as Executive Director of Goldlion Holdings Limited and remains extremely committed as a community service leader.

Mr. Chen Kaizhi, is Vice Chairman of the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation, a United Nations- and Chinese Central Government sanctioned national charity organization. In the past 14 months, Mr. Chen and Mr. Seyedin have led a joint effort to raise millions of yuan in cash for victims of the May 12 Earthquake in Wenchuan and orphans throughout China. Mr. Chen has formerly served as Chairman of the CPPCC Guangzhou City Committee, in addition to Vice Mayor of Guangzhou city and Deputy Secretary General of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee.

Mr. Mark Ndesandjo is a strategic marketing consultant who has been living and working in Shenzhen since 2002. Recently married, he and his wife are now searching for a piano for his home. Mr Ndesandjo has worked as a philanthropist and community volunteer in support of orphanages in Shenzhen for more than six years, and is currently completing a book.

Mr. Harley Seyedin is the elected President of the American Chamber of Commerce in South China, which represents more than 1,600 American and international companies doing business in Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian and Hainan. Mr. Seyedin currently represents Sithe Global, the energy and infrastructure arm of the Blackstone Group, in the Pacific region and in his career has been recognized by two U.S. Presidents for service to the United States as a result of his involvement in the passing of NAFTA.