First Aikido Nippon Kan A.H.A.N.Costa Rica International Seminar

Thanks to Gaku Homma, Nippon Kan Kancho and the Nippon Kan AHAN (Aikido Humanitarian Active Network www.nippon-kan.org ) organization, we held our first Aikido A.H.A.N. Nippon Kan Costa Rica International Seminar this past October.
Costa Rica is a small and beautiful country in the middle of the Central America Continent, and as a Central American country it is a young country with not a long history. Costa Rica has a population of almost four million people, yet we have not have army since 1949. Nearly 40 % of our territory is a protected area with an incredible plants and animals variety. The people of Costa Rica are a peaceful and happy people.

Well, now you know something about our country.

On October 7th , 8th and 9th Fernando Román Sensei, Chief instructor of AHAN Mexico Aikido, Take Musu Aiki (www.mexicoaikido.com.mx) from Mexico and his assistant Alfonso came to teach our first seminar. Under the direction of Román Sensei, our first seminar was a very good experience for everyone.

Students from different Aikido dojos and students that practice Ju Jitsu came to enjoy the seminar with us. According to A.H.A.N philosophy of helping people in need, part of the seminar profits were donated to the Aldeas S.O.S., which is an organization that works around the world with children that have been orphaned. The Aldeas S.O.S. find mothers, brothers, and permanent homes for orphaned children to give them the opportunity for a good education, nutrition, and a family. The Aldeas S.O.S. provides help for children until they are old enough to find a profession of their own. The profession could be with the university or in a technical field but are assisted until they are able to take care of themselves. The Aldeas S.O.S. is doing a really great job in Costa Rica.

This seminar event in Costa Rica was made possible with the help of Gaku Homma, Nippon Kan Kancho and Founder of AHAN, Emily Busch Sensei, students and friends in Costa Rica. To everyone, I wish to express my deepest thanks.

For me this first seminar was a good experience. It began as a project some months ago, and now it is part of our history. Now it is the end of the first chapter, a good chapter, part of a history we are writing together. Thanks to all of you.

Mr. Marco Gonzalez
AHAN Costa Rica Coordinator, Aikido Zanshin Dojo