I. Introduction

My name is MUHOZA Peter (李子辰), from Rwanda. Currently, I am a Ph.D. student at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and I am the principal of Shenmo Rwanda. I am so glad to be here as the new WAAMA member and look forward to learning from all of you.

II. My abacus story

My initial encounter with the abacus occurred in 2017 at a shop in Beijing, where I was instantly captivated by its design. I observed the shopkeeper using it to count money, though I found the process perplexing; I simply appreciated its aesthetic and intriguing nature.

A few months later, I attended a job fair at Beijing University, where I had my second interaction with the abacus through Shenmo Education. This was a thrilling experience, as it provided me with the opportunity to learn about the abacus in depth. I enrolled in various abacus training sessions, acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to begin teaching.

III. Going back home to promote Abacus

After my master’s graduation in 2018, I returned home to promote and teach the abacus to primary school children. I began by introducing the concept to my relatives and friends, subsequently reaching out to various private schools. Although it was a novel subject for many, they gradually came to appreciate and understand it. To date, over 1,000 students have benefited from abacus instruction, and we aim to expand this number to approximately 5,000 by the end of 2025. Since 2019, our students have participated in different national and international competitions and they have achieved great results. We are looking forward for our students to take part in the future WAAMA competitions as well.

IV. My Abacus impression

I can summarize my impression of the abacus in three words:

i. Fascination

The intricate mechanics and ancient origins of the abacus captivate and intrigue people.

The ability to perform complex calculations with such a simple tool sparks a sense of wonder and curiosity.

ii, Mastery

Developing proficiency in abacus mental arithmetic instills a deep sense of accomplishment and mastery.

The discipline and focus required to train the mind to manipulate the abacus beads cultivate a feeling of empowerment and control.

iii. Connection

Engaging in abacus mental arithmetic fosters a connection to cultural traditions and shared human experiences.

Learning and practicing this skill creates a bond between individuals and across generations, bridging cultural divides.

V. Summary

I would like to use few words to sum up

Tell the abacus stories well, and spread the wisdom of abacus mental arithmetic.

Thank you so much!

(This is speech by Mr. Jean Pierre MUHOZA at the Academic Exchange Meeting for Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Teachers of WAAMA on July 16th, 2024 in Changchun, Jilin, China.)