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.