Mark Ndesandjo is one of thousands of ex-pats living in China. Kenyan-born Ndesandjo owns a chain of restaurants called China BBQ in Shenzhen, China, and has been active in the city's charity sector.
But this week has been especially for him. He's taken the long flight to Washington, DC to witness his half-brother become President of the United States.
While Barack Obama is among the most famous men in the world, Mark Ndesandjo has kept a much lower profile. He's avoided the press, and made no mention of his famous brother on brochures advertising a fundraiser for orphans he co-chaired last Friday.
Obama and Ndesandjo don't have a close relationship, and have only met a few times. Despite this distance, Ndesandjo's residence provides Obama with a unique China connection.
Whether or not the two meet up when the president makes an official visit to China remains to be seen, but at the very least, Obama can share his inaugural day with family from all over the world.