Maison de la Gare morning karate class
Robbie pointed out that these children seem to view karate as a privilege, and many of them give it everything they have, striving to make it their own. They are respectful of their Sensei, waiting in the hot sun for the next instruction and then doing their best to perform correctly. They don't have parents or any reasonable structure in their lives. They are not fed or given any care when they are sick other than from Maison de la Gare, or what they can beg. They are forced to deliver quotas of money to their marabouts each day, proceeds of begging. Maison de la Gare staff and volunteers provide the only positive roll modelling in their lives. There are so few staff, and thousands of talibe kids. But here they are, working hard, focused, sweating, probably hungry. Karate is exactly what these kids needed.
We met with the kids who would be travelling to Kaolack later that night for their first National Tournament to provide new gi's that they would wear in competition, donated by Douvris Martial Arts Barrhaven.Two of the talented kids in the morning class also indicated they wanted to join the dojo. Next week we'll gauge their comittment, and if they seem ready, two of the new gi's may be theirs.
Some newly registered karate students at the dojo during my previous visit
Robbie and I joined the dojo talibes to train at Sor-karate Friday night. We left the centre just before the evening light meal was served. Unfortunately in order to arrive at the dojo in time ( it is about a 20 minute walk) the kids often forgo their meal from Maison de la Gare. Robbie and I both participated in the class with the advanced belts, so we were not able to take photos this time. We both felt privledged to train with this group, who give such an effort to their practice. We learned new kumite routines and worked hard. Our conditionning thanks to Dourvis Martial Arts paid off and although the class was a challenge and we also worked hard, we were not exhausted. In fact, we were surprised when the sensei and talibes asked us if we were tired. After an intense warm up the class tends to get 1 or 2 minute pauses between sets of about 10 minutes for the boys to rest. Sweat was pouring off them. and they were tired. But of course they continued to give the practice all their focus and strength until the very end. It dawned on me that these kids were working through more calories than they had likely consumed that day! They had not eaten an evening meal. And they likely had not had much more than some bread or a bit of rice earlier either. And there would be nothing waiting for them later at the homes they do not have. I was hit hard by the realization of the things we take for granted. Robbie and I also had missed dinner, but given our regular diet we could not have begun to imagine what the talibe boys were experiencing. After class we distributed all the granola bars we had brought for the trip. Later when Robbie and I met Dad for a late meal we found it difficult to eat much, thinking of our talibe karate friends.
Nutrition is important to all athletes. To malnourished kids consuming so many calories pursuing a passion that gives their lives meeaning, food should not be a rare luxury. Robbie and I determined to find a way to help these kids eat before karate practice on a regular basis. we'll keep you posted as we try to figure this out.
At the dojo I discussed the impending belt testing with Sensei Ingety Ba. He had been planning to test the round of white belts we signed up a year ago and some of the more exeptional white belts we signed up on my most recent visit 5 months ago (all thanks to sponsourships from Canada) in about a week. Thirteen Maison de la Gare white belts will be testing! He generously moved up the belt testing to Tuesday night, so we could have a presentation ceremony at Maison de la Gare Wednesday for the successful candidates while Robbie and I are still here. Douvris Martial Arts Barhaven and some Canadian karate students generously donated belts for us to bring to Senegal. If these kids are successful, we will use every one of the donated yellow belts! Upon being informed of testing, the white belts seemed nervous but excited. They worked a long time to become ready, and many still feel anxious.
Robbie offered to work with the kids who will be testing each day until Tuesday, helping them fine tune their katas and kunites and to prepare as well as possible. Saturday morning at the centre Robbie worked with three kids who will be testing, Souleymane, Issa Ba and Moussa Ba. Also, Elhaje practiced despite not being on the test list this time. He wants to take the opportunity to improve so he can make the list next time. The sun was hot, and the gi's were hanging up to dry after being washed, but the practice session was a success.
Today, Sunday, we met the kids at the centre again. Yaya also joined the group, and the kids worked hard with Robbie for two hours on getting the shodan, heidan and yodan versions of taykokyu shodan down and improving their form and timing. Robbie and I have attended a Sor-karate belt testing before. Just only about two thirds of the candidates passed. Robbie is confident these 4 have what it takes to pass to yellow, even to Sensei Ignety's exacting standards.
With the dojo talibes who successfully test being rewarded with a belt ceremony, the younger karate kids who practice at the centre will surely be inspired. And, and with the four Sor-karate talibe kids competing at their first ever national tournament in Kaolack this weekend, Issa Kouyate, president and founder of Maison de la Gare has been saving some medals and suggested a tournament for the little ones. Let's Go! says Robbie. So beginning tomorrow, Robbie will work with the karate kids each day until the end of the week to prepare them for their own first ever tournament. Can't wait!
A flyer to collect gi's and sponsorships, pictured is Robbie with the first group
of dojo talibes, now yellow, orange and green belts
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