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Mark Obama Ndesandjo (third from left) at yesterday's press conference to release his first novel "Nairobi to Shenzhen."

Mark Obama Ndesandjo Photos by Sun Yuchen

The Shenzhen Daily's coverage of Mark Obama Ndesandjo on its Nov. 6, 2008 issue.

U.S. President Barack Obama’s half brother Mark Obama Ndesandjo released his first novel “Nairobi to Shenzhen” in Guangzhou yesterday. The following is his speech at the press conference.

Dear friends, associates, ladies and gentlemen:

First thank you for coming today. I also wish to thank my family, my parents, my siblings and my wife for their support as I was writing this book. Of course I am indebted to the Chinese people who, in their warmth, graciousness and magnanimity, gave me the space and freedom to live, work and create in the city of Shenzhen these past seven years.

First novel

“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.

This novel is a work of fiction and has been many years in the making. The novel reflects my experiences in my own life as a child brought up in Kenya, and who has studied and lived in America and China.

“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 10 years.

Autobiography

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.

Helping others

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 percent of the proceeds of this book will go to help disadvantaged children in China and 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.” Good deeds are like water falling on flat ground, it spreads. 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.Q&AQ: You probably have many stories to tell because of your relationship with U.S. President Barack Obama. Can you arrange some interviews with media to let us know more about you?

A: Well, I will consider it. I have just completed my autobiography and I’m going to find a publisher to publish it in the next several months. In the biography, I talk more about something you are interested in.

Q: Has your brother Barack Obama’s success in the U.S. presidential election caused you any inconvenience? How often do you and your brother contact each other?

A: I still live my own life, which has several most important elements: calligraphy, music, writing and helping the kids play piano. I love my family and of course we keep in touch. Chinese people have a strong sense of family relationship, so do I for my brother.

Q: You were brought into the limelight after Obama won the U.S. presidential election. How has it changed your life?

A: As I was writing the book, I felt the pain that I had when I was a young kid. My brother may also have unhappy memories, but he is still doing great. I’m so proud of Barack Obama. I became proud of being an Obama.

Q: Has Chinese culture added new elements to your American dream?

A: Yes. In my novel, the protagonist came to study and live in China and fell in love with a beautiful Chinese woman. It’s not simply an American dream, it’s a universal dream.(Jane Lai)About Mark Obama Ndesandjo

Born in Kenya, married and residing in Shenzhen, Ndesandjo is an accomplished pianist, writer, artist and businessman. He has more than 15 years of telecommunications and international marketing and branding experience gained at Lucent, Nortel and other companies and continues to consult worldwide. He is an HSK L7 (advanced) Mandarin speaker and writer and an avid Chinese brush calligrapher. In addition to the novel “Nairobi to Shenzhen,” he has just completed his autobiography which he plans to publish in the next several months. He has released three piano CDs, “The Untimely Ones,” “Night Moods” and his own composition “Reflections on William Blake.” He regularly gives piano lessons to orphaned children in and around Shenzhen.

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