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In January of 2006, a team of men and women met Nairobi to consider a grass roots level support conference for social workers and pastors dealing with HIV and AIDS. Under the direction of Bob Smith of the Valley AIDS Council, and sponsored by Steve and Kathy Shubin of ILF, the First Annual HIV/AIDS Clinical Update and Church Leadership Conference was planned. In the process of visiting orphanages in Kenya as target sights for field study and service for the missionaries and medical staff who would come to serve at the conference, Michael Klumpp took a group of boys into a field and offered to teach them martial arts. "I will teach you on one condition," Master Klumpp stressed "That you understand a true warrior protects the poor and weak and does not oppress the poor and the weak. You must be true warriors."
First Class at the Lemoru Children's Home
The boys agreed and ASB Kenya, named for Mr. Klumpp's school ASB Karate in Texas, had it's first class. The class stressed not only the martial arts but life skills. Over the next few month as the boys continued their studies of karate and self defense, changes began to take place in the schools and the village of Lemoru. Grades among participants went up. Violence against women went down. Bullying began to disappear from the school yard. The young people showed greater respect and care for their bodies and their relationships. With a team of supporters from business, personal and church organizations, ASB Kenya began to promote its work throughout Kenya and into Uganda. Several generous people got involved. Clinics have been built. Veterenary services were conducted. Orphanages have been started. And there are now several MARS groups in Kenya helping to mentor young people in life skills through the martial arts.
The Lemoru MARS group reaches yellow belt |
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