Miriam Achieng Kenyatta, a 23-year-old university student from Kenya, has turned her humble home in Kibera into an immersive Chinese environment to pursue her dream of becoming a Chinese language champion. With limited financial resources, Kenyatta used her phone and internet to fill her life with Chinese as much as possible, renaming every contact in her phone in Chinese and joining Chinese-language voice chat rooms. Her dedication paid off when she reached the Kenya division finals of the 25th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students.
Kenyatta's journey to the competition was not easy. She had very little formal training in Chinese, having studied for only three months at the Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi before dropping out due to financial constraints. However, her self-learning and practice with the institute's drumming club improved her spoken Chinese, which was deemed "very good" by the club's coach. The coach recommended her to the Confucius Institute, which then provided her with special training and waived her fees.
Kenyatta's performance in the competition was impressive, striking a large drum painted with dragons and reciting an ancient Chinese poem. Her confidence and stage presence earned her a place among the top 15 contestants in the global finals in China. The Chinese side paid all her expenses, allowing her to travel to China for the finals. There, she was exposed to China's campaign to lift people out of poverty, which changed her perspective on her own home and community.
Kenyatta's background is marked by hardship and struggle. Her family of six shared a small iron-sheet and mud hut in Kibera, with limited access to basic amenities like piped water and sewage facilities. Her mother, Hellen Juma Bonyo, worked tirelessly to provide for her family, selling peanuts and soap on the streets for long hours. Despite the challenges, Bonyo encouraged her children to pursue their education, instilling in them the importance of studying hard to escape poverty.
Kenyatta's success has brought hope to her family and community. Her mother is confident that her daughter's skills in Chinese will open up new opportunities for her. Kenyatta plans to use her knowledge to give dreamers in Kibera better opportunities, inspired by her own experiences. She has already secured a scholarship to study Chinese for a year and a half at Tianjin Normal University after she graduates.
Kenyatta's story is a testament to her resilience and determination. Despite the obstacles she faced, she remained committed to her goals, using available resources to learn Chinese and eventually competing at a high level. Her experience has also broadened her perspective on her home and community, inspiring her to make a positive impact in Kibera.
As Kenyatta looks to the future, she is focused on pursuing further education in China. She plans to apply for a master's program in China, building on the skills and knowledge she has gained so far. With her mother's support and encouragement, Kenyatta is poised to achieve her dreams and make a meaningful difference in her community.
Key points
- Miriam Achieng Kenyatta, a 23-year-old Kenyan university student, competed in the 25th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students.
- Kenyatta's success has brought hope to her family and community, inspiring her to use her knowledge to give dreamers in Kibera better opportunities.
- Kenyatta has secured a scholarship to study Chinese for a year and a half at Tianjin Normal University after she graduates.
