Disadvantaged youth development. Changing a country 1 life at a time. Every bit helps

As a Martial Artist, it is very important to give back to the community and by doing so trying to change lives for the better. In essence giving an opportunity to those with very little choices in life.

As the owner of Mercury TKD (Taekwon-Do), a Martial Art Academy in Blouberg, Cape Town, we have decided to open our doors to a local child care organization called “Home of Hope”. This is a privately funded organization with one purpose and that is to help these amazing kids have a future.

Anyone that has experience in Martial Arts knows the benefits of such training. Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-control and Indomitable Spirit are the tenants of Taekwon-Do. These are values that can be applied to any facet of life.

We have taken on 7 children from Home of Hope and even though there is many more that would like to attend, we have only taken on the oldest in the group. These are brilliant kids that have inherited struggles that they have to deal with such as FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder), abuse, neglect, abandonment and more. This can lead to a life of crime and social awkwardness if not managed. The values of Martial Arts could not be any better for them.

Our goals with these kids are to show them another family that they now belong to. A family of support and respect, a family of etiquette and pride, a family that pushes you to be the best, train harder, focus more, learn that you can do anything, but most important, a family that lets you know that you belong to it no matter what.

We would kindly ask that you sponsor these kids in any way you can so that we can get them the required startup equipment which is quite costly but essential. As we cannot and don't want to make a profit from these kids, we are forced to ask for help.

We are asking for your assistance in helping us to help these kids achieve great things such as competing in local, provincial, national, international and even Olympic events. But we have to start at the beginning. All of the kids that we train from Home of Hope have great potential and I can’t imagine anything better for their confidence than to actually be able to achieve confidence through ability from training but to do that they need uniforms, sparring gear, safety equipment, a transportation vehicle and funds for tournaments and events to compete in.

Initially we need the Equipment to get the Children started. We are currently training them but fear that we can only offer them a small part of this amazing Martial Art without the benefit of all the safety equipment.

The benefit of martial art training goes way beyond just the physical and mental. It gives you an opportunity to grow through self-realization, by unlocking abilities that you never knew you could possess and most importantly this leads to your own self respect.

Firstly one can only imagine what thoughts go through a child’s mind when they are orphaned. Self-doubt, depression, anger, sadness and the list goes on. Children with Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder have it even harder.

These kids need structure, discipline and something to build their confidence. How many Great people come from adversity? If we can help, is it not our duty?

We have already seen the benefits start to pay off. Please help us continue our quest.

We thank you and so will they.