- Title: GAZA-BLIND KARATE TEAM Karate training offers hope for blind children in Gaza
- Date: 7th September 2015
- Summary: GAZA CITY, GAZA (SEPTEMBER 01, 2015) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF AL-MASHTAL CLUB FOR MARTIAL ARTS PALESTINIAN FLAGS KARATE INSTRUCTOR TRAINING BOYS BOY TRAINING KARATE INSTRUCTOR TRAINING BOYS BOY TRAINING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) KARATE INSTRUCTOR, HASAN AL-RAEI, SAYING: "This group suffers from marginalization from the Palestinian society and lack of assimilation. We initiated and sent several letters to official and international bodies and organizations that help the blind and told them that we have special free training for the blind to integrate them into society. We connected with al-Nour centre for the blind which belongs to the UNRWA and they provided us with the first team who hopefully will become champions and represent Palestine in Arab and international championships." VARIOUS OF KARATE INSTRUCTOR TRAINING BOYS SIGN (Arabic) READING: "AL-MASHTAL ACADEMY FOR MARTIAL ARTS- JERUSALEM HALL" VARIOUS OF BOYS TRAINING KARATE TRAINER PREPARING MAT BOYS TALKING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) KARATE STUDENT, MOHAMED HAIDAR, SAYING: "It taught us to determine directions and how to change my direction. It taught us self-protection moves to protect ourselves if someone attacks us." VARIOUS OF KARATE INSTRUCTOR TRAINING BOYS SIGN (Arabic): "AL-MASHTAL ACADEMY FOR MARTIAL ARTS" KARATE INSTRUCTOR TRAINING BOYS BOYS DRINKING WATER AND TALKING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) KARATE STUDENT, WISSAM AL-JIDI, SAYING: "I'm like them, like normal people. I play Karate to show them that I'm like them and hopefully I will represent the Palestinian state." VARIOUS OF KARATE INSTRUCTOR TRAINING BOYS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) KARATE STUDENT, MOUHAMED MAHANI, SAYING: "It taught me through sensory perception to recognize the directions. He (instructor) holds my hand and teaches me the movement so I can be able to do the move and which direction do I go to when I make that move." BOYS TRAINING BOY STANDING SYMBOL OF THE PALESTINIAN KARATE FEDERATION INSTRUCTOR HUGGING BOYS INSTRUCTOR AND BOYS ENDING THEIR PRACTICE
- Embargoed: 22nd September 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Gaza
- City:
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA3IGFTVTK75Y27RFAM744IXQFS
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE, RESENDING CORRECTING NAME FROM MAHMOUD TO MOHAMED HAIDAR
Dressed in white karate suits, a team of young blind and visually impaired boys are relying on their senses of touch and hearing to learn karate in Gaza City.
Most of Gaza's residents face many daily challenges to survive amidst destruction and economic hardship. But these boys here are also overcoming a physical impairment.
Hassan Raei, is the director of Al-Mashtal Academy, a martial arts centre. He hopes the skills that the young boys learn here will help them to be an integral part of their community.
"This group suffers from marginalization from the Palestinian society and lack of assimilation. We initiated and sent several letters to official and international bodies and organizations that help the blind and told them that we have special free training for the blind to integrate them into society. We connected with al-Nour centre for the blind which belongs to the UNRWA and they provided us with the first team who hopefully will become champions and represent Palestine in Arab and international championships," Al-Raei said.
The classes started at the end of the July, with two hourly lessons scheduled twice a week, and so far the young martial artists are enjoying their new Karate moves.
"It taught us to determine directions and how to change my direction. It taught us self-protection moves to protect ourselves if someone attacks us," said nine-year old Mohamed Haider.
"I'm like them, like normal people. I play Karate to show them that I'm like them and hopefully I will represent the Palestinian state," added 11-year old Wissam al-Jidi.
The boys are taught their Karate katas through hearing and touch, with their Sensei, teacher, initially guiding them through the moves.
"It taught me through sensory perception to recognize the directions. He (instructor) holds my hand and teaches me the movement so I can be able to do the move and which direction do I go to when I make that move," said 13-year old Mouhamed Mahani.
And so far the boys are progressing well having already been awarded their yellow belts, they're now in training for their orange belts. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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