From Beijing in 1998 to Kigali today—Shenmo’s mission is to nurture and inspire young minds through
Abacus Mental Math, and to give every child a pair of “invisible wings.”
Shenmo Background
Shenmo Education was founded in Beijing, China, in 1998. For more than two decades it
has been a global pioneer in Abacus Mental Arithmetic teaching, with learning centers across
110+ countries and regions.
The abacus carries wisdom of more than 1,800 years. In 2013, abacus culture was
registered by UNESCO as World Intangible Cultural Heritage. Shenmo carries that
heritage forward with joyful learning, moral education, and a quality system centered on Abacus Mental Math.
Our motto is Nurture and Inspire—to empower students to reach their full brain
potential and keep the abacus a living mathematical heritage for future generations.
Shenmo Rwanda History
A Robe, an Abacus, and a Dream
Shenmo Education Rwanda is the first African branch of Shenmo Education. Its story
begins with Founder and Managing Director Jean-Pierre Muhoza (Peter / Li Zichen),
who met Shenmo at a Beijing job fair in 2017, franchised Shenmo for Rwanda in
2018, and has grown the school while completing his Ph.D. at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
In his own words—written for Shenmo’s 27th anniversary and his doctoral graduation—he tells how a
calling, an abacus, and the trust of the Shenmo family carried him through pandemic years and back to
China to finish his degree, while Shenmo Rwanda grew to serve over 5,000 students.
Intellectual ability gives children the wings to fly, but non-intellectual qualities built through
real experiences and social interaction are what keep them soaring. Competitions and shared learning
give students the confidence, resilience, and broader perspective that keep those wings strong.
Key milestones
1998 — Shenmo Education is founded in Beijing and grows into a global Abacus Mental Arithmetic network.
2013 — Abacus culture is recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
2017–2018 — Jean-Pierre Muhoza (Peter / Li Zichen) meets Shenmo and franchises Shenmo for Rwanda; the first African branch begins.
2018–2019 — Shenmo Education Rwanda launches classes for children and families nationwide.
2020 — First Shenmo Rwanda Abacus Mental Math competition.
2021–2022 — National visibility grows through media, camps, and international online exchanges.
2023 — Participation in the first Africa Shenmo Cup (Nigeria).
2024 — Expanded competitions and camps; Shenmo Rwanda joins WAAMA.
2025 — Rwanda hosts the 2nd Africa Shenmo Cup in Kigali; national competitions and Summer Camp continue.
2026 — MoU with REB for public-school pilots; classes at Kigali Public Library; continued school partnerships.
Today Shenmo Rwanda continues to partner with schools and families, work with REB, and invite sponsors
and partners to help more children discover Abacus Mental Math.
