A summer program is presently being held at the Kremandala compound to assist children and young adults not only to learn karate, but to use it as a means of personal development.

The program is being carried out by black belt karate instructor Mark Welch and has been going on for the last 5 years. It began on August 5th and runs for two weeks, catering to over 60 children from Belize City. The youths are separated into two classes; one for those that are between the ages of 7-11 and another for those between the ages of 12-14.

The objective of the karate program is for the participants to learn karate skills to defend themselves as well as to develop life skills such as discipline and leadership in order to be productive citizens in the future.

Today, Amandala spoke with Welch who expressed his satisfaction with the way in which the participants are progressing. He said that the children are “developing at a remarkable stage” because they have already understood what they are being taught in less time than was expected. We also spoke with two of the participants, Nigel Myvette and Joshua Meighan, who both said that they enjoy being a part of the program because they have learned a lot including how to defend themselves and how to be a more disciplined individual.

The instructor also reiterated the need for the youths of today to know where they are going in life, which is why he feels the need to conduct the program. Welch said that he was once in the same position as a child; therefore he finds it necessary to give back to society in an effort to assist the children to understand how to take care of themselves and how to be a better person in general. He also wishes to thank the Kremandala organization for facilitating the program, and also for supporting various youth initiatives over the years.