STORY: Kenyan youth draw inspiration through Kung Fu
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 22, 2024
DATELINE: Feb. 23, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:35
LOCATION: Nairobi
CATEGORY: CULTURE/SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Ngaruiya Njonge teaching Kung Fu lessons
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): NGARUIYA NJONGE, Kung Fu master in Kenya
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): NGARUIYA NJONGE, Kung Fu master in Kenya
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): ELVIS MONYASIA, Kung Fu trainee
5. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): COLLINS NJONGE, Kung Fu trainee

STORYLINE:

Ngaruiya Njonge, a martial arts enthusiast, is making a positive impact on the youth in Kiambu County in central Kenya.

Ngaruiya has been practicing and teaching Kung Fu skills for the last 20 years. He says he has trained thousands of young people.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): NGARUIYA NJONGE, Kung Fu master in Kenya
"Since I started this Kung Fu, maybe it's like 30 years ago before I was doing karate. So this art of Kung Fu is very beautiful, I like it. So I changed from karate and then I went to Kung Fu."

Ngaruiya says that through learning Kung Fu, many young people in the area have shifted away from harmful habits such as drinking alcohol to embracing this positive hobby.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): NGARUIYA NJONGE, Kung Fu master in Kenya
"Like 20 years back, there was a lot of alcohol here, a lot of drunken people. So I see if I can start the little young ones now. I went to the schools, primary schools, asking the teachers about training in Kung Fu. We all go around our primary schools teaching the same thing, Kung Fu."

Many local youngsters have been inspired by Njonge's Kung Fu classes.

Elvis Monyasia, a young trainee of the team says learning Kung Fu has helped him build his character.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): ELVIS MONYASIA, Kung Fu trainee
"I have trained in Kung Fu for 19 years now since I was a kid. I was so interested in watching movies such as the legends of Jackie Chan, and Jet Li. So they're the ones who inspired me to train Kung Fu and be like some of them. There are many things I have learned in Kung Fu, such as discipline and having respect for people, older people."

Ngaruiya's son, Collins Njonge, started learning Kung Fu when he was five years old. He said he got inspired by seeing how his father was dedicated to changing people's lives in the community by teaching Kung Fu.

SOUNDBITE 4 (English): COLLINS NJONGE, Kung Fu trainee
"I got my inspiration from my dad because he used to train kids, and he changed people's lives. And that's what I want to do, Kung Fu to change others' lives and mine too, to make a better future for me and others. Kung Fu is not about fighting. Kung Fu is about self-discipline, respecting others, and being a good person in society. In the future, I hope to be the world Wushu champion."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nairobi.
(XHTV)