10 year old Wendy Xu Jelimo’s stunning Chinese performance at state lodge!
10 year old Wendy Xu Jelimo playing Zheng,a Chinese musical instrument
Ten Year old Wendy Xu Jelimo had a dream Three years ago ,that of performing before the president and his family at the statehouse and she expressed it severally to her parents unbeknownst that this dream would indeed come true sooner than she thought.
Her parents thought it was a big joke but all the same challenged her to learn and play one instrument: The Oriental string instrument “Guzheng”, this is one of the hardest Chinese instruments to learn.
Guzheng is a Chinese plucked zither (stringed musical instrument) the modern guzheng commonly has 21, 25, or 26 strings, is 64 inches long, and is tuned in a major pentatonic scale. It has a large, resonant soundboard made from Paulownia wood.
Her mother Xu Jing bought the instrument from China and had it shipped all the way to Kenya. An arduous journey of learning began, she had no trainer in Kenya and her mother had to look for a Chinese national who could play the instrument in order to train Wendy.
After searching through various Chinese communities she found a volunteer, Dai Jing Hua a lovely trainer who easily bonded with Wendy and was patient enough to train her at any slightest moment she could spare some free time.
It was such a daunting task that required close parental supervision since her tutor was only available once a week but required her to practice daily. Her mother Xu Jing Rotich had to devise various ways to motivate Wendy to continue playing the instrument. She would cry on several occasions when she did not get it right, but she was more than determined.
Her parents were desperate to help but neither could play the instrument.
Driving her around the statehouse was such a big motivation that built Wendy’s Confidence with the imagination that one day she would have an opportunity to play Guzheng before the head of state, a dream that has come true.
With time she was invited to play during the various Chinese festivals where she gained more courage perfecting her performance .
This year she was sure to participate in the 2023 National Music Festivals .Determined not to disappoint herself Wendy represented her School.Kianda Secondary a private, all-girls day school with a Catholic ethos located in the Westlands area of Nairobi, Kenya and Founded in 1977 by The Kianda Foundation.
Wendy’s dream came true after a sterling performance before President William Ruto at State Lodge Nakuru Wednesday ,Wendy was among the 95th Music Festival top performers who were hosted by the head of state for their astonishing musical presentation.
Ten year old Wendy Xu Jelimo finally meets President Dr. William Ruto
Her mother Xu Jing Rotich is blissful of her daughter’s excellent performance that is as a result of hard work and resilience
“It takes a mothers patience, love and courage for a daughter to succeed” Xu Jing Rotich
Her father Dr Henry Rotich reminiscence with joy Wendy’s perseverance and determination that has culminated into a dream come true,
“She did not disappoint herself. She used every available free time to practice including waking up early to practice before going to school,During COVID-19 outbreak she had to do her lessons online since her teacher was in China”She has made us very proud. Opined Dr Rotich
“ A child’s dream is God’s call on parents to stand up and help it come true” He adds.
Kianda School joins Wendy in celebrating her achievement,that of a focused dream made true through practice and determination.
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