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Fundraising
Seminar for Children with Cancer in Mexico
November 7-10, 2003
Title This smile is the benefit that is best of all.
Children at the closing ceremony with
Founder Dr. Tanaka and his wife Yoko-san.
Nippon Kan AHAN
(Aikido Humanitarian Active Network) in conjunction
with Mexico Aikido Take Musu Aiki, hosted a fundraising seminar
in Mexico City this past November 7-10, 2003. The seminar was
held to raise funds for the Casa de la Amistad, a facility dedicated
to tending the needs of children with cancer in Mexico. The seminar,
held at the Tecnologico de Monterrey University Campus was heralded
as a “new direction for Aikido” for its scope and
vision. In the history of Aikido in Mexico, this was the first
seminar
that has been held to raise funds for local community enrichment.
Fernando Roman Sensei |
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Rocio Aguero Sensei |
The seminar was unique in many ways. To name a few, it was unique
because 1. The seminar was hosted by an independent dojo. 2. Attending
students were instructors and students from other independent dojos
from many parts of Mexico. 3. The purpose of the seminar was to
raise funds for local community enrichment. 4. The seminar was
a tool to raise respect and understanding for Aikidoists in the
Mexico community. 5. The seminar acted as a vehicle to cement friendships
between the independent dojo instructors and students present,
and many more.
About one hundred adult aikidoka and thirty youth attended the
three day event. The opening ceremony was attended by guests from
the University administration, and staff members of the Casa de
la Amistad. The opening speeches were followed by ceremonial Mexican
dances performed by children and young adults in traditional costume.
The dancing was festive, and set an energetic and happy tone for
the seminar to follow. From Friday night to Sunday afternoon, Homma
Kancho taught positive, dynamic and inspirational classes that
were thoroughly enjoyed be everyone who attended.
Traditional Mexican dancers at
opening
ceremony. |
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Question and Answer session
with students
and Kancho. |
Taking off hakama to teach footwork. |
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Enjoying practice with the children. |
Playing “Gagaku” at closing
ceremony. |
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At the closing ceremony, the Founder of Casa de la Amistad, Dr.
Tanaka and his wife Yoko were in attendance. Some of the children
from the center also attended the ceremony. There presence was
touching, and reminded all of us just why we were there that day.
Fernando Roman Sensei and Rocio Aguero Sensei led the presentation
ceremony with a monetary donation raised by the semimar along with
gifts of food and other needed supplies. Homma Kancho also made
a donation from AHAN headquarters in Denver, Colorado. All students
were recognized for their achievement by receiving a certificate
of achievement for attending the seminar, and all visiting instructors
were acknowledged for their attendance.
The seminar ended as it had began; with music. This time in closing,
the music started traditional Japanese music, Gagaku. This was
followed by traditional and modern music of Mexico which included
ancient Aztec rhythms played on a variety of drums and other percussion
instruments. To read the article written about this event by Homma
Kancho, “A New Direction for Aikido” click
here.
Casa de la Amistad Founder
Dr. Tanaka and children from the center. Behind: his wife,
Mrs. Yoko Tanaka
Mexico Aikido Take Musu Aiki, as a new member of AHAN took giant
steps in these few short days to set a new direction for Aikido
in Mexico. We look forward to working together to further this
project in the future.
Mexico staff working
hard From left; Wimmer, Jose’s wife, and Jose.
Related Articles:
New
Direction for Aikido
Visit to the Casa
de la Amistad
Aikido
for a Cause
My Impressions
of the AHAN Fundraising Seminar in Mexico City.
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