Karate Delivers

Karate Delivers at Maison de la Gare

Early in 2015 a karate program was established at Maison de la Gare for the talibes. A young karate
black belt volunteering with Maison de la Gare with his family perceived the advantages karate has to offer the talibe children. The discipline, structure, self-confidence, sense of belonging to something special and respect among practitioners that is integral to the sport, thirteen year old Robbie Hughes thought, could greatly influence the talibes in a positive way. And, self defence skills could be a real advantage for vulnerable children forced to beg on the streets of Saint Louis. Many dozens of gi's were transported from Canada. Robbie began teaching karate to the talibes, local senseis in Saint Louis were engaged to continue the program ongoing, and many of the Maison de la Gare talibes fell in love with karate, as described by Rowan Hughes, Robbie's sister, and talibe, Arouna Kande in an article for Global Giving earlier this year.

The morning karate class at Maison de la Gare

Karate is now taught at the Maison de la Gare centre four mornings a week by senseis of a local dojo, Sor-Karate, Saint Louis. An average of about 30 talibe karate students attend each class, which is divided into beginner and advanced sessions. All students proudly wear their white gi's and belts during class. Many more talibe sit on the side-lines, curious and perhaps imagining themselves in a clean, white gi as well. They, too will be welcomed into class when they demonstrate interest. Most of the dozen talibes Robbie had identified to be registered at the dojo last March have progressed impressively and will soon be testing for orange belts. Issmaila Balde, who assists instructing the Maison de la Gare morning karate classes and who is, himself, a "grand talibe"(old enough that he should be released from the daara but still trapped there, beholden to the marabout), has recently earned his green belt. These "dojo talibes" train at the dojo most nights each week. For some, karate has become a consuming passion, proving for these children to be all Robbie hoped it would be.

talibes training at Sor-Karate Saint Louis dojo

One little boy, Yaya, seems particularly devoted, attending Maison de la Gare karate classes nearly

Talibe Yaya

every day. He takes karate very seriously and learns quickly. Yaya always wears a purple dinosaur gi, and refuses to relinquish it despite the fact that it is clearly too small for him.  Yaya was recently promoted to the more advanced class. And, Issa Kouyate, the president of Maison de la Gare will speak to Yaya's marabout about permitting him to be registered at the dojo with the older boys. Several of the more dedicated children in the advance class have been identified for registration in the dojo.

Robbie with Samba, newly registered at Sor-Karate

Thirteen year old talibe, Samba was initially registered at the dojo, but dropped out after a few months. Apparently his heels were injured and he could not practice.  But, he is better now, and Samba has been re-registered at the dojo. Samba is proud of his new gi and keen to begin again and catch up to the other dojo talibes. Several of the Maison de la Gare "dojo talibe" kids have begun sparring and are ready for competition. However, equipment is lacking. At the dojo one pair of kumite gloves was shared among all. When on a follow up volunteer visit Robbie joined the "dojo talibes" in training and offered his gloves for use, the kids took advantage of having two full sets of gloves and a series of sparring matches ensued.  Donate through Canada Helps to register a talibe at the dojo for a year

The talibe karate kids have seen some of Robbie's karate Bo staff competitions on you.tube, and they also want to learn. Robbie and Mamadou found  broomsticks in the market serve fairly well as Bo staves, although they are a foot or two too short. Robbie's initial Bo lesson with Issmaila is a reminder of how eager and capable these kids are of learning quickly when they are motivated.

Talibes sanding their newly cut Bo staves

The morning following Issmaila's introduction to the Bo, after  karate classes, five kids asked Robbie to teach them Bo as well. It later was noted that several broom heads were lying discarded, stripped of their broom handles which are now being used as Bo's. It is also likely there is also a shovel head at Maison de la Gare now missing its handle. Mamadou discovered an alternative to broomsticks, and the talibe karate kids were soon at work, under Robbie's guidance, sanding and perfecting their new
Bo's. Issmaila is such a committed karate student, and such a fast learner, that he is now able (and very willing) to continue teaching the karate Bo lessons ongoing.

Issmaila, the student becomes the teacher

Karate is delivering astonishing benefits to many Maison de la Gare talibes. And, for a few, a true and abiding passion has been sparked. Who knows where it may take them.

"A Day in the Life" of Maison de la Gare

"A Day in the Life" at Maison de la Gare

There is very little action at Maison de la Gare first thing in the morning. Lony Mame Diarra, the "house mother" prepares breakfast for the little talibe boys living in the dortoir d'urgence, Just Kalidou and Gorgui at the moment. Mamadou turns on the water and tends the garden. A neighbour notices the water is running and knocks on the still locked door, asking to fill his jug. He is invited in, as usual. Arouna organizes his books and bag for school.

the MDG Garden

Kalidou and Gorgui eventually rise and enjoy their breakfast. Then they kick the ball around, amusing themselves. After all, this is no daara where the talibes are sent out to beg for their breakfast as well as quotas of money with the sunrise.

By 10:00am Noel, the activities manager is positioned with his computer by the front door. He greets each talibe, recording his name and daara, as the boys begin to stream through the now open gate. Some entrust Noel with their begging bowls, little piles of coins collected during morning begging, and their few small treasures, so they can run off and play, hands free.

soccer, anytime...anywhere

Before long the library is full of kids asking Bashir, the librarian, to put on a movie. And, a lively soccer match is underway in the sandy open area. One strong kick injures the already battered bougainvillea. Another, the banana tree. Mamadou winces with the next near miss of his bananas.

Mamadou and his bananas

Then he shrugs and joins the game. Before long, the ball is gone, over the wall due to an over-enthusiastic kick. Someone small and light is launched up onto the roof of the classrooms. Then, he is over the wall. Back comes the soccer ball and the game resumes. A little later the boy has also made
his way back around through the front door again. Many children take advantage of the bank of showers and toilets. They watch  out for each other, passing filthy clothes out to each other to watch over as they bathe.

Children present themselves throughout the morning at the infirmary, arriving in ones and twos. Awa, the Maison de la Gare nurse, tends their wounds, eases their toothaches, examines and redresses their infections and generally spreads much needed TLC.

The MDG Infirmary

At about 11:00 karate begins. the MDG karate kids wait for the door to be opened to the room where the gi's are stored, then they put on their white uniforms and prepare for class. the class lasts a little over an hour, and is divided into beginner and advanced groups. Many more talibe sit watching the karate kids in action, possibly thinking about joining in someday themselves.

MDG Karate Kids

relaxing in the garden, the begging bowl by his side

As the sun rises higher in the African sky more and more kids make their way over to the
library or the garden. There they play, talk, or just lounge around, enjoying doing nothing in the shade.

After a few hours the kids head back out onto the street and the doors of Maison de la Gare close. The boys have begging quotas to fill. And, in many cases they will be expected back at the daara for a little bit of coranic instruction.

Later in the afternoon the gates of Maison de la Gare open once again. Kalidou and Gorgui have been fed and have enjoyed an afternoon nap. Mamadou probably has as well. Arouna returns from school. He has a break for a few hours, time to help out around Maison de la Gare. Arouna, a begging talibe himself until just last year, is an inspiration to so many of the kids. Some of the kids who visited in the morning come back

the talibes doing their laundry

in as their begging quotas have been filled and submitted to their marabouts. But, there is also a different crowd. French classes are taught in the afternoon, and the children who want to learn are gathering, waiting for the teachers to arrive. Games resume. The infirmary is back in action. More children head to the showers or wash their clothes. All the while, kids are keeping an eye out for the arrival of the teachers.

a karate gi, freshly washed

When Bouri, Aida and Abdou unlock the doors to their classrooms children begin to head over. Some of the older ones  who are studying with Bouri are hoping to learn enough to begin in the public school system sometime soon. These boys are eager and diligent. Some of the littlest ones need some encouragement to set aside the ball and head to class. But, many also see the opportunity for what it is and stream right on in.

Bouri with her students

A few kids, the "dojo talibes", bow out of class early and head to the Sor-Karate dojo to train. After class, as the night descends, a meal is handed out to each child. Then, after a bit more socializing, out they go, "Ba souba", "à demain", into the darkness, back to their daaras. Maison de la Gare is quiet once more.

Two Little Miracles

Two little Miracles

Kalidou and Gorgui playing soccer with Robbie

On our day of arrival we met Kalidou and Gorgui for the first time, two seemingly fragile and joyful little boys. Kalidou is 4 years old. He was sent to his daara at a very young age, and he has been regularly running away for nearly two years. He has a family, he offered to give one of his father's cows away. But, when sent home he is sent back to the daara or he runs away from there too. The police found Kalidou on the streets and brought him to Issa at Maison de la Gare.  Gorgui was taken from his daara by Issa Kouyate, the president of Maison de la Gare, last April when it was discovered that a serious injury caused by an embedded fish hook was infected on Gorgui's upper arm. The marabout had done nothing at all to care for the boy and the wound was festering and gangrene was beginning to set in. Now the two bright little boys are living temporarily in the dortoir d'urgence at Maison de la Gare. Lony Mama Diarra, a long term volunteer, lives in the house with Kalidou and Gorgui to care for them.

Kalidou and Robbie

Kalidou is so full of energy and life! He constantly tries to induce people to play with him. He is interested in everything. He is almost always smiling. It is impossible to keep him clean. Kalidou was interested in Robbie's Bo staff from the minute he saw it. On our second day Kalidou had found himself a Bo staff of his own, just the right length  and he asked Robbie to show him how to use it. Robbie has been giving him lessons, and Kalidou is catching on fast.  As soon as we appear at Maison de la Gare, morning or afternoon, the first thing I often hear is Kalidou calling to Robbie. Kalidou proudly wears his karate gi for the MDG karate lessons he has joined since Robbie's arrival on the scene. It is amazing to watch the little ball of energy quietly waiting in a karate stance, or focusing on his sensei's instruction.

Gorgui

Gorgui is a gentle, quieter type. His smile melts one's heart. He loves to play soccer, he is always ready for an impromptu match or some one-on-one. Since Gorgui has discovered our hand sanitizer he can't get enough. The perfume of it seems heavenly to him. Every few minutes he seems to ask for more by rubbing his hands together then holding them up to his nose and swooning with delight, looking to heaven. Our supply has dwindled much more quickly on this trip than is usual. I think I will give him the little bottle of perfume I found in my suitcase as a gift. It will blow Gorgui's mind and senses, for sure.

One night, when Robbie and I were at the dojo Sor-karate so Robbie could train with the dojo talibe kids, Gorgui and Kalidou were there also, watching. Mama Diarra was signing up for classes and they had tagged along. When we left in the pitch black it soon became apparent that we were being followed by Kalidou when he called out in the now familiar voice "Roby". When we took Kalidou back to the dojo he did not want to leave Robbie, so we brought both Kalidou and Gorgui with us to meet Dad for a late dinner, with Mama Diarra's permission.

Gorgui and Kalidou ordering dinner

We ate at la Linguere, seated near an open door. Soon several talibes children had gathered curiously watching Kalidou and Gorgui be served Coke, Fanta and large plates of chicken and rice. Throughout dinner both boys kept trying to share with the other talibes at the door. A boy from outside passed in a flimsy little plastic bag to Kalidou, who tried to pour half his Coke into the bag for him. Gorgui continuously tried to pass out morsels of chicken from his plate. Watching out for each other is so clearly ingrained in these little talibe boys. When we were leaving, Gorgui was distressed to see the food left on some plates. We obtained another bag filled it full of leftovers, and Kalidou took charge of the bag. Upon leaving the restaurant to meet Arouna who would escort the boys back to Maison de

Kalidou

la Gare, Kalidou stopped dead in his tracks. He saw a homeless man, clearly hungry. He walked over, looked up and reached way up to gently pass the man the bag of food. They looked at each other for a moment then Kalidou moved on as the man instantly and hungrily dug into the bag and began to eat. I felt as though I had witnessed a miracle, grace in motion. Awesome to observe. Little waifs who have nothing, sharing everything they have, and in such a spirit of kindness and acceptance.

Gorgui's arm now

Gorgui is thriving at Maison de la Gare.  But, his marabout's wife comes regularly to Maison de la Gare, as the marabout is demanding to take him back. I am almost happy that Gorgui's arm is taking such a long time to heal. One day soon, Issa may have no choice but to return him to the marabout. Kalidou's situation is also uncertain. Issa does not want to return him to his home just to have him runaway again or be sent back to the daara. But, one day soon Maison de la Gare will try to integrate Kalidou back into his life as best they can. Hopefully he and his family will reunite and he can grow up at home, with his brothers and sisters. And, Hopefully Maison de la Gare will continue to watch over both Kalidou and Gorgui wherever their lives lead next.