Korean students excel in Kenyan school

By Phares Mutembei

Imagine a world where all the races, people from different tribes and countries love one another. There would be no wars in that world, right?

At Mountainview school, near the Safari Park Hotel, it is a mix of cultures and colour as pupils from East Africa including Kenya, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, learn together.

Two South Koreans Heo Jin Hee and Min Young Eun, are specially popular at Mountainview. They are also flying Mountainview’s flag high at 2012’s Kenya National Music Festivals. Hee, who is in Class 7, is a gifted piano player and has performed so well at the music festivals.

“I love the piano because I can produce very good music with it. I also sing gospel music. I am loving to study with Kenyan children because I am learning so much about their foods, tribes and areas. We also visit so many interesting areas with my family to see the geography,” said Hee. “But it is challenging for me because I speak very little English” says the Korean.

“I am also having a lot of fun because Kenyans are clever and helpful. My English is improving too,” said Eun, who is also a violin player at the national music festival.

“We like the Kenyan traditional dances,” said the two girls, adding that they are trying to mix.

Hee loves the taste of pilau, chapati and mandazi. But ugali is tasteless!”

Eun said, “Kenyan tea is sweet but Korean tea is somehow bitter because we use herbs instead of sugar. We use herbs because it’s healthier!”

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