All this time we’ve been talking about teaching self-defence to abused kids, and on Saturday 11 September we were finally able to start!
We had about 35 children, funnily enough, not the same ones as we had at the launch. I can see that we are going to have to be super flexible!
Ayesha started by putting all the kids into a circle and getting each one to introduce themselves and tell us something about themselves. After some initial confusion where a number of kids put their hands up to indicate that they couldn’t speak English – and then went on to speak pretty good English! – they shyly old us their names and favourite colour (the girls) and the rugby team they support (the boys).
I had some misgivings at this stage, the kids were so quiet and shy. Not for long! When Ayesha lined them up and showed them how to punch, and how to kick, they started enjoying themselves. Even the volunteers joined in, a bit noisily. By the time we brought out the punchbags, the kids were thoroughly enjoying themselves, judging by the big smiles, powerful punches and shouts of “Tay”! even the quietest, most reserved little girls with the biggest eyes were dishing out punches to be reckoned with, looking to Ayesha for approval all the while.
You may be asking – and what did I do all this time? I acted as a human backstop to the smaller tikes holding the punch bag – everyone had a turn to hold the bag and to punch – in case they stumbled backwards and tried to fill in by helping them to stand correctly, encouraging them and praising them.
We were lucky to be joined by Bianca Szmetana, who is one of Ayesha’s karate students (red belt) who was at the launch. Bianca, who is 12, has a very compassionate heart, and wanted to get involved. She walked up and down the rows of kids, correcting their stance and generally acting as co-instructor to Ayesha.
We finished the session with a game to get to know each other, standing in a circle and tossing bean bags to each other. The idea was to call out the person’s name before throwing it to them. After some initial tossing to and fro from brother to sister and back, we got the game going on a more inclusive basis and I’m sure that by the end of the game, everyone knew Bianca’s name, if not mine!
With the changing audience and the 4 weeks in between sessions, I’m sure that we will play that game many times before we remember all the kids’ names, but I won’t forget their faces and the way their initial reserve turned to smiles and joyful participation.
Can’t wait for the next time!
