No news HAS been good news for Give the Gift of a Gi … with
one exception. Patches for the gis have arrived (good news); And in a flurry of unfocused enthusiasm I
actually sewed my finger trying to put one on (bad news). So I chose a painful time to try to update
everyone about the program. Letter “D” is killing me. But, I want everyone to know what is going on
that I will “sofrer em silêncio”.
1. The patches are in. Thank you to all you who are sewing
them on for me. I will get back in the game and help, I promise. Big Thank you
to Kerstin Pakter for making and donating the patches.
2. There are three gatherings set up for me, my son Carson ,
and my Brazilin cohort: One at Morro do
Canta Galo, one in Meier and
another at Campo Grande. At each place
we can train with the kids and a demonstration will be put on, and in true
Brazilian fashion we will have a barbeque.
3. The Carly Stowell Foundation/Jammin BJJ sponsored six
children from Canta Galo so they can participate in the Festival Rio Kids
Student BJJ tournament August 10-11. I was thrilled when I learned the dates of
the tournament because it means I can watch the boys compete. Hyperfly
generously donated new gis for these six boys.
(*Why these boys? When the idea of sponsoring registration
costs was brought up I was working with Rico Vieira whose Checkmat team
volunteers their time in Canta Galo. These six boys show exceptional talent and
work ethic, but had been unable to compete due to financial hardship. In the
future I hope to develop a system where children from different areas can
apply. These boys did “apply”. The Carly Stowell Foundation has an application
for financial assistance which we modified for this purpose. Like the US
application, there is an area to be completed by the student that reads, “Carly Stowell was a gifted athlete and
musician. What set her apart was her ability to recognize that dreams, without
drive, hard work and determination simply remain only dreams. Success and
ability are wasted on those who forget who they are and where they came from.
Describe for us your dreams, your commitment to achieving them and the role you
see the Foundation playing in assisting your pursuit.”
I was
delighted to receive little paragraphs from the boys (ages 6 to 11), in
Portuguese, that described how they dream to be world champions and great fighters;
they train hard and would like to be able to compete.
4. This trip we will travel to southern Brazil where I am
told there is as great a need for assistance as Rio has. I plan to meet the
folks I know only through cyberspace, gather information about the community
centers there, see what BJJ exists, examine the needs of the children and see what
the possibilities are.
I know there is need, and I know there are infinite ways to
help, but my program has limitations too. This is, again, where the power of
positive energy came through. I was questioning whether or not Give the Gift of
a Gi could continue without assistance when….
5. Coach Foster announced that the proceeds from the Giva
Santana seminar September 14-15 will be donated to Give the Gift of a Gi.
(still makes me teary – good tears) Thank you Coach, Team Foster, seminar
participants, Giva and Erica. I hope I
see YOU there.
6. I brainstormed with Kris Shaw to put on a seminar just for
kids. (We had just chosen a date, October 26th when Coach made his
announcement). There will be three
sessions that differ in length appropriate to the age. During a break from noon
to one I will make a presentation about the program and show pictures and maybe
some video from this year’s trip. The kids seminar (remains to be named) will
be affordable and run through the Carly Stowell Foundation so that it is non-political
and a non-profit donation to register. The Foundation can also provide financial
aid for participants if necessary. Keep an eye out for details! In addition to
Kris Shaw, Michelle Wagner will teach and I am currently communicating with
other coaches to assist. Please let me
know if you can help. I’d like to have snacks for the kids and maybe a raffle.
If you have anything to donate let me know.
Wow. If you build it will they come? Yes, indeed they will.
I feel so blessed and honored to be a part of the BJJ community. Thanks to
everyone who donated a gi, sent money, sewed a patch, donated their time, sent
positive energy, gave me an idea, and thanks to all of you that will help in
the future.
“Yup, Coach was right. I’m most certainly not done.” (Flowing with the Go, p.116)
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