A Robe, an Abacus, and a Dream | Shenmo Education Rwanda

As one of Shenmo’s outstanding international principals, Peter, principal of Shenmo Rwanda, recently graduated with a Ph.D. from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. On the occasion of Shenmo’s 27th birthday, he wrote with deep feeling the moving story of how he came to know and walk with Shenmo—so that we may feel, through sincere words, the deep bond and warm friendship between Principal Peter and Shenmo, and his truth and his dream.

This robe tells a story greater than my own.

It carries the weight of dreams once fragile, born not only in classrooms but at the edges of doubt and courage. Today, I stand at the crossroads of two milestones—my Ph.D. graduation, the 27th birthday of Shenmo Education International and 7th anniversary of Shenmo Rwanda. They are deeply entwined, not by chance, but by a journey that began in a quiet, unexpected moment.

It was 2017, at a job fair in Beijing, that I first met Shenmo. Unlike others, they weren’t offering jobs—they were planting seeds. They spoke of abacus, mental math and global opportunity. I had seen the abacus before but never known its magic. That day, I didn’t walk away with a job, I walked away with a calling.

Principal Peter at a Shenmo international student recruitment fair

In 2018, Shenmo turned 20. I was finishing my master’s degree. That same year, I officially franchised Shenmo for Rwanda. I returned home, filled with purpose but empty-handed in experience. No business background. Little teaching experience. Just a heart on fire and a Shenmo T-shirt I proudly wore even in my master’s degree photo.

Peter formally signing with Shenmo Education

In 2019, I received a prestigious Ph.D. scholarship and returned to China, leaving behind my newborn business in the hands of three young teachers. They had no training in running a company, but I told them, “I trust you.” In January 2020, I flew home to see how they were doing. I planned to stay one month.

Then the world stopped.

The pandemic arrived, and what I thought would be a short visit turned into years of uncertainty. I was caught between two fragile dreams, my studies in China and my infant business in Rwanda. I came close to losing both. There were nights I questioned everything. But through it all, one constant remained: the unwavering faith of President Li and the warmth of the Shenmo family. His trust was the lighthouse in my storm.

Principal Peter with teachers from Shenmo Rwanda

Three years later, I returned to China, picked up the pieces of my Ph.D., and pressed on. Today, Shenmo Rwanda serves over 5,000 students. The same abacus that once puzzled me now empowers young minds across my motherland. It is no longer a foreign concept; it’s becoming part of our educational future.

Shenmo is not just a company to me. It is my sanctuary. My heartbeat. My bridge between cultures. Through Shenmo, I learned more about the Chinese culture and deeply fell in love with it. It’s why I proudly bear the Chinese family name “Li.” Shenmo gave me more than tools—it gave me family, faith, and a reason to believe in impossible things.

Over the years, I’ve taken risks, sneaking away from school to attend Shenmo trainings and events, hiding my commitments to my teachers and fellows out of fear that others would doubt my focus in school. I risked being misunderstood. I risked being expelled. But I also risked for love—for belief—and it led me here.

Principal Peter taking part in a Shenmo teacher-training activity — Principal Peter at a Shenmo teacher-training activity

Today, I wear this graduation gown for every student in Rwanda who now believes in themselves. For every teacher who stood by me. For every person in Shenmo who welcomed me like family. And for the quiet stars above whose love still lights my path.

Shenmo principals and student representatives congratulate Peter at the Chinese Academy of Sciences

I can’t thank Mr. Li and the entire Shenmo family enough. Your love changed the course of my life. Every laugh, every tear, every sleepless night, and moment of triumph—this journey was made whole because of you.