Karate Club!

Everyday after lunch is Club Time.  This is a time for students to do non-academic activities and unwind a bit before the start of afternoon classes.  One of the more unique activities YSEL students have had for clubs are Karate and Capoeria run by Nzingha Uhuru, one of the Peace Corps Volunteer teachers.  The dining hall was full of eager campers interested in learning about martial arts.  Nzingha has taught karate and some capoeria in the US and wanted to give YSEL students an opportunity to try something new.  Students really enjoyed learning the basic steps of both forms of martial arts from Nzingha. “I really liked the karate,” said Daniel Workeneh, “It taught me discipline, how to focus on the moves and count in Japanese.” 

The last week of camp, Nzingha taught capoeria, the lively form of dance mixed with martial arts that originated in Brazil.  Students loved the vigorous dance moves intertwined with some martial arts move.  It was a rigorous club and really gave students a workout before heading back to class in the afternoon.

  Besides martial arts, other clubs included soccer, aerobics, art, poetry, song, dance, and computer.  Every week students changed clubs and were able to explore different activities that they may not get back home.