Its already the middle of the year, Kidz Power has been going for more than a year now and still going strong!
T (see last blog) has been reguarly attending Karate lessons twice a week with Ayesha since about March and is doing exceptionally well. In her first competition, she took two silver medals! Her mother says she hates school and needs lots of persuasion to get her ready every day, but for Karate she needs no encouragement! I have heard from a number of different people, including her mother, that her confidence has increased enormously. Ayesha is providing the lessons free of charge (thanks, Ayesha, for the difference you are making in this little girl's life) and the Kidz Power fund assists with transport costs, which are minimal.
Self-defence classes have continued monthly at Teddy Bear Clinic, with the exception of a break over Easter. Our thinking was that Easter eggs and concentration don't go well together, and that the kids wouldn't miss us. But they did! They were very pleased to see us at the next lesson! I noticed that discipline is improving, the kids are more organised and know what is expected.
We had some excitement early in the year with a Norwegian journalist taking photographs of us working with the kids for an article on people working with abused children. So there are pictures of us somewhere in a Norwegian magazine! I have yet to contact her to ask her for a copy.
Ayesha has been having a very busy time with Karate competitions so I have roped in a number of helpers over the last few months. In their own way, they have contributed to the Kidz Power mission, which is to help the kids to develop self-confidence and a sense of empowerment. A big thank you to Bev Midgely, Shirley Bailey and Holly (a volunteer at Teddy Bear Clinic)!
Shirley commented that working with the kids had given her a real lift! Its true that you "get more out than you put in", and its not just a smug feeling of having "done your bit". I don't know why it is, but the biggest gift is to be able to give. And, as I have learnt, you don't have to be rich or famous or have lots of time.
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you find it".
Cheers for now!
Sue
