Yap Shihan, 7th dan and Director of Iwama Shinshin Aiki Shuren Kai North America and the Founder of Aikido of South Florida – Iwama Shin Shin Aiki Shuren Kai USA, came to visit Bilay House, a humanitarian support and educational facility where over 60 children of the Karen People live and study after having fled to Thailand from Myanmar due to civil conflicts.
Yap Shihan came to Bilay House to teach Aikido classes, which were started last year as part of the WWY (We are With You) Project, and because a number of regular Aikido-ka in Thailand came together, Yap Shihan was asked to teach special Buki waza (weapons training) classes. Her visit became a reality at her request by her traveling to Thailand before teaching special classes to the Nepalese Military personnel.
I was impressed yet again not only by what Yap Shihan has accomplished in her wonderful career, but also by her dedication, passion and attitude to teach Aikido in the same way, as she has always done at seminars all around the world, to the pure and innocent children who did not know anything at all about Aikido. I was impressed yet again not only by what Yap Shihan has accomplished in her wonderful career, but also by her dedication, passion and attitude to teach Aikido in the same way, as she has always done at seminars all around the world, to the pure and innocent children who did not know anything at all about Aikido. Thank you and Gokuro Sama Deshita!
Bilay House was opened in 2008 with major personal donations by Homma Kancho of Nippon Kan, and various support have been provided under his leadership on an ongoing basis since the inception.
