Korean NGO trains Katsina children in taekwondo, social skills

SAEMAUL Undong Foundation (SUF), a non-profit organization from Republic of Korea, has trained 100 Katsina State children in taekwondo and social life skills.

The children, selected from Makera and Raddawa villages in Dutsinma and Matazu Local Government Areas respectively, were trained in the various skills yesterday by representatives of SUF.

All the 100 children received training on social life skills that include politeness, positive attitude, active listening, teamwork, respect, communication, interpersonal skills, and self regulation. However, 50 of the children received training on Taekwondo skills, which is a Korean martial art and combat sport involving punching and kicking techniques.

Speaking at the event, the foundation’s Nigeria Office Manager, Mr Oyewole Benson Bode, said the training is part of the NGO’s cultural event aimed at widening scope of the children on how to deal with issues of life as they come.

Benson said the taekwondo training, which held series of displays by the trained children and youth, is aimed at equipping them for self defence purposes, especially with the prevailing security challenges in their communities.

“In Raddawa village, for example, some of them have complained of being unable to sleep in their houses due to security challenges. With this taekwondo training, the youth would at least be able to defend themselves and their loved ones.”

He assured of the foundation’s commitment to partnering with the state government to better the lot of children and youth in the benefitting communities, as well as the farmers in the area.

The Guardian reports that Makera and Raddawa communites have been benefiting from SUF for over four years, with hundreds of farmers having been trained in modern rice farming by the foundation.

About $2 million is reported to have been expended on such trainings and related collaborations with the state government, with more farmers expected to benefit from the training in the coming months.