Kids Fighting For Empowerment, not Victimization
Jiu Jitsu trainer from H/Art Academy (now closed) using martial arts to evoke confidence in children
Also published on Koh Santepheap in Khmer
After opening their doors in Phnom Penh in 2016, H/Art Academy Jiu Jitsu’s reputation for accessible and fun martial arts training has continued to grow.
While it’s easy to associate Jiu Jitsu with acrobatic abilities and Hollywood stunts, the key aspect to H/Art Academy’s classes is not self-defence but developing self-discipline and boosting confidence. The Academy’s goal is to make these opportunities for personal growth accessible to everyone regardless of social class, gender or age. From young ones learning the art of Jiu Jitsu for the first time, to seasoned professional athletes, H/Art Academy is a ‘go-to’ destination for people of all ages and abilities to learn Jiu Jitsu.
Jiu Jitsu is considered the “gentle” martial art because unlike other strike-based martial arts, Jiu Jitsu focuses on positioning and leverage. This means that a small person can defend themselves against a bigger, stronger and heavier opponent.
But the advantages of Jiu Jitsu at the Academy extend even beyond these opportunities for physical and personal growth, to high quality training and community development.
According to Jiu Jitsu black belt Dylan Peters, the Academy has “incredibly gracious instructors, [a] friendly safe environment and good sparring.” he wrote in a review after training. “They work closely with the community providing at risk youth the opportunity to train.”
Expat instructors bringing their knowledge to Cambodian youth
More organisations are jumping at the chance to adopt a fun and friendly environment for their own community initiatives. One such organisation is the children’s village of Sovann Komar who has teamed up with leaders at H/Art to offer Jiu-Jitsu classes for the children in their care.
Sovann Komar has 55 orphaned and abandoned children placed in Khmer foster families at their facility just outside Phnom Penh. Sovann Komar is growing their network of trusted partners to provide more opportunities for the children as they continue to explore positive ways to achieve empowerment.
On 24 August, 22 children went to the National Olympic Center for their first Jiu Jitsu lesson, which was designed to empower them, in addition to connecting the physical elements of exercise with mental and emotional strength.
H/Art founder and coach Vivaddhana delivered the lesson. “We’re delighted to work with Sovann Komar to share our passion for the art of Jiu-Jitsu,” said Vivaddhana, “and offer classes that empower the next generation of Cambodia.”
For some children, the lesson could also be their first step on the path to becoming a serious martial artist. With the right combination of training and self-discipline, it’s possible that some children may go on to represent Cambodia as Olympic level Jiu Jitsu athletes.
By training with H/Art Academy, children have the opportunity to develop and practice their social and communication skills with children outside their peer groups, as Vivaddhana pointed out, “the advantages of exercise are apparent but the benefits of developing these children’s soft skills are invaluable”.
Sovann Komar, or Golden Children in Khmer, was founded in 2003 to create an environment that provides a safe, nurturing home where orphaned and abandoned children can develop – physically, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually – to their fullest potential.