Yao Hua's fluency in the English language, impressive resume and emotional intelligence have secured her a lucrative career in one of the leading commercial banks in Kenya.
The 30-year-old mother of an eight-year-old daughter has no regrets for settling in a foreign land to pursue her career dream and join a burgeoning population of Chinese expatriates on the frontline to transform the East African nation.
Yao has lived in Kenya for a decade and has developed a strong affinity to the nation and its friendly citizens.
The father of her daughter is a Kenyan and was instrumental in her decision to migrate to the East African nation famed for its iconic wildlife species and long distance runners.
During a telephone interview with Xinhua on Saturday ahead of the International Mother's Day on Sunday, Yao narrated her epoch journey to a foreign country to work as an expatriate.
"I came to Kenya in 2005 and worked at Huawei for two years. Later, I took a two-year break to take care of my new born daughter. Having a new born baby required huge adjustments on my career," Yao said.
After her two-year sojourn in China, Yao returned to Kenya and joined ZTE Corporation where she worked for four years and a few months.
Her career prospects were brightening each passing day as corporations head-hunted her, thanks to exceptional skills and multicultural exposure. She jointed Orange later.
An English graduate from a Chinese University, Yao was able to spot opportunities in her adopted country and grab them promptly.
While in Kenya, Yao completed an on-line degree course in marketing from a French tertiary institution and her passion to try new things was not diminished by motherhood or cultural barriers in her new abode.
Yao's six-year stint at ZTE and Orange enriched her skills and world views. The National Bank of Kenya hired the driven executive in August 2014 to work in a newly created portfolio at the bank's headquarters in Nairobi.
"I was appointed the director in charge of new business development. The department has two units, Chinese business development and digital payments," Yao told Xinhua.
Since her appointment last fall, Yao has been involved in wooing Chinese enterprises and individuals to open accounts at the National Bank of Kenya.
"I was part of the team that facilitated the launch of mobile banking to ease transactions and net more customers. Expertise gained in the telecommunications industry came in handy," said Yao.
Her relationship with Kenyan colleagues at the state-owned financial institution has been cordial despite cultural differences. Yao told Xinhua the Kenyan bosses too have been friendly and supportive.
Raising a mixed race child in a foreign land has been a thrilling experience for Yao.
As a single mother, Yao has struggled hard to balance family life and demands of a banking career.
"Bringing up a child single-handedly is a tough calling, more so when one has a demanding job. Luckily, my brother has been a father figure to my young daughter while my parents always visit us to offer emotional support," Yao remarked.
Her brother lives in Kenya and has been a rock to the young niece to ensure she grows up as a confident and emotionally stable adolescent.
Yao's daughter usually reunites with her biological father who lives in Ethiopia whenever he visits Kenya.
The eight-year-old studies at a high end French school in Nairobi that is popular with expatriates due to its multicultural learning environment.
Raising a mixed race daughter has not been a walk in the pack for Yao, though she has managed to provide material and emotional needs to the young beauty.
"My daughter is very smart and adaptable to any environment. She has great friends from different nationalities, cultures and creeds. They play together and often visit her at home," Yao said.
She revealed the daughter speaks fluent Mandarin, English and French. Despite her busy schedule, Yao spares time to connect with her daughter, supervise her homework and ensure she is well fed.
"Whenever I am off duty, we go for holidays in the Kenyan coast and overseas. Currently, we are in China enjoying a two-week break, " Yao told Xinhua.
She added that spending quality time with her daughter is emotionally rewarding.
