Wheels of Life

By+Victor+Yong

In my hometown of Bamenda， Cameroon， I admired the way in which my Chinese friends followed and presented their culture. I especially loved their adherence to the Confucius philosophy of filial piety.

Chinese family tradition places great emphasis on the care of ones parents who in turn help raise grandchildren and are continually honored even after death. These traditions are passed on from generation to generation and are very similar to the traditions of family life in Cameroon.

I came to China three years ago to study Chinese at Hohai University in Nanjing， capital city of east Chinas Jiangsu Province. Ive always had a fondness for the Chinese language which began with my love for Chinese music. I wanted to sing the melodic songs that spoke of all these wondrous places in China to see and experience.

When I arrived in China I instantly enjoyed using the transport system. We have a fairly decent one in Cameron too， but the Chinese system is amazing. It has a vast flow， like an ocean or life， and like both， brings you challenges as well as opportunities.

One day I was traveling on the subway and heard a disquieting conversation between a young Chinese couple standing next to me.

“When we get in， I want you to stand away from this man，” the man said， gesturing toward me. “He comes from a poor country and will probably try to steal from your handbag.”

As we boarded the train I chose to deliberately stand near the couple and began to laugh. The man was amazed.“Why are you laughing？” he asked me.

“I cant help it，” I said. “You dont know anything about me or my country and yet you are trying to poison your girlfriends mind against me. Why are you doing that？”

Amazement gave way to shock. “You understand Chinese？” the man said. “Of course I do，” I said. “I learned Chinese because I love China. If I didnt， I wouldnt have come all the way here. So you should start thinking positively about us. I would like to educate you.”

The mans face simply sank as a reddened hue began to color his cheeks. He stammered out a “Sorry” in embarrassment and shame.

As I mentioned， like life， the Chinese transport system brings you challenges that you can either work to overcome or let subdue you. In spite of similar challenges I pressed on and was awarded a scholarship to attend Huzhou University in Huzhou City， Zhejiang Province.

One day， while traveling there I met a Chinese mother and her son. We had a conversation and exchanged contact details. A week later， she got in touch with me， asking if I would like to spend my summer holiday teaching kids English. She said I would be paid 6，000 yuan （$869） and provided with free accommodation. I agreed and I would never forget what would follow.

I taught a class of about 25 kids aged between four and six years old. I loved teaching them. The work was not strenuous at all， two hours in the morning and two more in the afternoon. I also sang and danced with them and played football. They were not wary of me at all and for some， I was the first African they had ever seen. Since some of the younger kids had problems with pronouncing my name， I became known as Rocky.

“Teacher Rocky，” one of them asked me. “Why are you black？ I also want to be black like you.”

“You cant be like me and I cant be like you because we are all born the way we are. But we are all human and we can all be friends，” I answered. I became a friend to him and the other children. When the month ended， I was sorry to leave. The experience made me think about returning to teaching once my course was finished.

This experience was not just about the connection I made with a group of Chinese kids but with the adults I came into contact with. I had no idea what impression or impact I had made until I opened in private an envelope that was thrust into my hands by the owner of the summer school upon leaving to travel back to Zhejiang.

“Dear Rocky，” read the note inside the envelope， “Sorry， but we thought we couldnt pay you the 6，000 yuan we had agreed to.”

Bemused， I took out a wad of notes and counted them slowly one by one - there was 22，000 yuan （$3，187）.

There are many lessons to take away from my varied experiences in China， but the most important is to never let the negativity of a few stop you from experiencing the goodness thats about to come your way.