Best Day Ever - Karate Can Kick Poverty

Robbie's idea of bringing karate to the talibe children of Maison de la Gare blossomed into reality today. The word had gotten around that there was to be karate at the centre this morning and many kids were waiting to try the sport for the first time. Souleymane, an older talibe, now freed from forced begging who works as an apprentice leader at Maison de la Gare, helped to organize the kids.

Maison de la Gare Junior Leader

He is also particularly interested in martial arts himself, and Robbie will train him to be a junior leader to the Maison de la Gare program. He will wear a red gi to differentiate him as a leader.

We soon fell into a system that worked well, Rowan sorted the gis into sizes and the kids came in to put on their gis two at a time. Rowan helped them dress, Soulaymane tied up the uniforms, and I

Souleymane dresses a talibe in his new gi

belted them. Then, off they went, back to Robbie's class and each sent another child in to get his own gi. About an hour into the lesson about a dozen kids had to leave to return to their daaras and the reality of their lives reasserted itself. At least 50 kids put on gis for the karate lesson today. Amazingly, and with great thanks to Douvris MA and Douvris families, we had enough for all! When the session was over, all kids returned the gis to Rowan. Some kids folded them neatly and handed them back carefully, others tossed them on a pile. This will be another lesson to impart tomorrow. We have to remind ourselves: these kids do not have parents to teach them, they live on the streets. They

Rowan prepares to sort the gis after class 

have no possessions of their own to care for. We need to show them the way. Ablaye, Souleymane, and Rowan then organized all the gis back into sizes and into separate duffels to await the next class, tomorrow.Robbie instructed dozens of talibes in karate basics for about an hour and a half. Robbie had been very sick the afternoon and night before, and it was hot in the sun, about 28 C, but he insisted on continuing with the kids who were loving every minute of it. He said afterward: "Mom, it was amazing. You cannot believe how great it was!". The talibes loved the experience and are keen to do it again tomorrow.

Robbie has already marked a few boys as being particularly talented, with much potential. He will http://youtu.be/a7obIUd3dvI

single them out tomorrow to work with them one on one. These are candidates for registration in a local dojo. He also spotted one or two jokers who may not be as suited to the sport. He will have a word with them tomorrow about respecting the gi. For the most part, the boys took their karate opportunity very seriously, and enjoyed every minute. It also became a bit of an English lesson, as they all counted in unison with Robbie.

After the big lesson, Robbie spent about half an hour with Soulaymane, giving him "a private", orienting him to be a junior leader and helping him to make the jump from kung-fu, which he had

recently started to learn, to karate. Some of the other older talibes are now also keen to take up karate. Mamadou and Ablaye are looking forward to Robbie's return to the centre so they can try on their own gis and get "a private". Good thing we also brought some adult sizes.

The key to the success of the karate program will be establishing a routine that can persist after our departure, and involving local karate teachers. And, finding a suitable dojo to partner with, ongoing. We have visited one dojo that turned out to  specialize in Judo and jiu-jitsu. But, we have been

Two little ones waiting for gis

pointed to several others that are karate. Tomorrow, we hope to be introduced to a local karate master to discuss the possibility of classes being held at the centre several days a week on an ongoing basis. Noel has arranged for the master to come to watch the class in the morning and discuss the possibilities. We will have to judge if he is supportive of what we are trying to do here, and kind and respectful to the children. If not, there are others. If he seems to be a good fit, Robbie will then visit his dojo.

Robin spent several hours with Mamadou this morning visiting about six different shops (one does not have the part and directs you to another across town, then that one sends you to another close to where you first were, etc, etc, etc.) looking for hardware and a suitable clothes line to hang at the centre, for drying washed clothes and the gis the children will be using ongoing. This will save Mamadou's plants from their current role as clothes horses.

We were invited by Noel Coly, a new Maison de la Gare supporter, to visit the church where he sings in the choir. We understood we would be attending a concert. But all four of us were invited to sing in the choir during a rehearsal. Oh my goodness!!! The choir director, Nestor Emmanuel Sambou, was out of this world, and the music was as if sent straight from heaven! He even made us sound good.

Talibe in trouble follow up

We were happy to see Hamedi at the centre this morning. Mamadou reported that the child had not slept well, he kept waking with bad dreams. Hamedi seemed even smaller and younger today. Issa spent the day giving his deposition and providing the evidence that should keep this boy's marabout in prison at least for a while. Insha'Allah.

       "Les talibés d'aujourd'hui sont les hommes de demain"