Martial arts improving the welfare of students

Another student, John Dehwen, 27, is upbeat that the school is helping him to adopt a healthy and disciplined lifestyle.

Dehwen recalls how watching Chinese movies inspired him to learn martial arts. Although he already has a black belt in taekwondo, enrolling at the wushu school is a dream come true for him.

"My love for Chinese martial arts is just exceptional and I have always wished that I could learn the Chinese culture and language," he says.

"One thing about learning wushu is the discipline that comes with it, because it encourages you to be non-violent, builds your confidence and makes you healthy."

Amos Sawyer, 20, started learning wushu in 2012, long before the new school opened. He's now preparing to graduate in March 2018.

In 2016, he represented Liberia in China at a major wushu competition and brought back two bronze medals.

"Wushu has taught me how to cultivate hard work and discipline and has made me a leader and a popular person," Sawyer says.

"I usually encourage people to join the class. I sometimes show them the photos I took in China and explain the importance of Chinese martial arts. Then they come to the school and join."

Sawyer and his friends are determined to see martial arts taught at schools across the country as a part of physical education.

Many Liberians will develop an interest in learning wushu if the sport is taken to high schools across the country, they say.

But the school does face challenges, including funding, before it can extend the program across the country.

"Thank God we have our new president who is a sportsman. I am looking forward to him using sports to develop our kids," says headmaster Russian, who is struggling to spread the word across the country due to a tight budget.

He is optimistic that cultural exchanges will play a crucial role in advancing ties between West Africa and the world's most populous nation.

"Chinese martial arts make you disciplined, helping you value yourself and other people. It is so peaceful and connects you with others, and I think it is helping Liberians understand China better," he says.

He considers himself a "living example of China's contribution to Liberia" after having studied at Henan University of Technology and Shandong Sports University and having visited the Shaolin Temple.