Welcome to AikiWeb Aikido Information
AikiWeb: The Source for Aikido Information
AikiWeb's principal purpose is to serve the Internet community as a repository and dissemination point for aikido information.

Sections
home
aikido articles
columns

Discussions
forums
aikiblogs

Databases
dojo search
seminars
image gallery
supplies
links directory

Reviews
book reviews
video reviews
dvd reviews
equip. reviews

News
submit
archive

Miscellaneous
newsletter
rss feeds
polls
about

Follow us on



Home > AikiWeb Aikido Forums
Go Back   AikiWeb Aikido Forums > General

Hello and thank you for visiting AikiWeb, the world's most active online Aikido community! This site is home to over 22,000 aikido practitioners from around the world and covers a wide range of aikido topics including techniques, philosophy, history, humor, beginner issues, the marketplace, and more.

If you wish to join in the discussions or use the other advanced features available, you will need to register first. Registration is absolutely free and takes only a few minutes to complete so sign up today!

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 09-11-2012, 10:11 AM   #1
SteliosPapadakis
Dojo: aikido-dojo-nippos
Location: Crete
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 97
Greece
Offline
Supporting the less able...

I had this idea long time ago. To help the less privileged kids of our town by teaching them (if they wanted and if their superiors allowed it) anything i have learned in life. I offered to teach Aikido to the local orphanage.
At first the director there seemed quite enthusiastic with the idea. What more beautiful that to teach children, who are deprived of many things and chances, the art of peace? They could learn a thing or two that they could use wisely in life.
Then, by talking to my teacher and asking for permit to teach there (without charging anything, even providing the puzzle-like mats we used in another dojo) a quite serious matter arose: what happens in case of an accident?
The status there is that the children are covered by social security for whatever happens in the promises and what is included in their books. And of course, martial arts are not included (the rationale being that many of them come from torn-apart families with history of violence. So by learning martial arts they are though of being more prone to doing wrong more efficiently). So the director of the foundation told me i would be totally responsible for anything happening to them kids.
A lot of things can go (and often do) go wrong to a beginner. Bruises from incorrect body positioning in ukemi, problems in ankle/elbow/shoulder joints and the sort. We even had a guy that almost broke his neck once.
Our Aikikai affiliation will not cover my teaching there and as i see it, the director of the foundation will not change his mind on the matter.
Another quest turned to dust?
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2012, 12:59 AM   #2
Eva Antonia
Dojo: CERIA
Location: Brussels
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 211
Belgium
Offline
Re: Supporting the less able...

Dear Stelios,

couldn't you offer them courses in your dojo if that's logistically possible? Then they should be covered like any other student.Your foundation couldn't possibly reject that, could it?

Our dojo is in vicinity to a state boarding school for children from problematic households (children who have been taken away from violent parents, parents parking their kids there while they do a detoxication cure, children just abandoned by parents who don't care...) and in the last years we always had some students coming from there. They were insured like anyone else, and they weren't more or less violent than the rest of us. None of them stayed until reaching a high grade, but then none of the other kids does, neither (there is some room for improvement in kids' permanence).

I wih you much luck wiht your endeavour!

Eva
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2012, 07:11 AM   #3
SteveTrinkle
Dojo: Aikido Kenkyukai International
Location: Ambler, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 232
United_States
Offline
Re: Supporting the less able...

liasuzuki sensei is doing this in santa barbaara californiahttp://aksb.org

  Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2012, 12:00 PM   #4
Larry Feldman
Dojo: Atlanta School of Aikido
Location: Atlanta, GA
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 387
United_States
Offline
Re: Supporting the less able...

I like the other ideas posed.

I am no expert in local law, but perhaps you could form a corporation - or charity that provides teaching services. The services would be provided by the charity and possibly insulate you from legal liability. But check with an attorney in your country to see if this is possible.

It is a noble cause - keep trying to figure out a solution.
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2012, 04:03 PM   #5
SteveTrinkle
Dojo: Aikido Kenkyukai International
Location: Ambler, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 232
United_States
Offline
Re: Supporting the less able...

aikido kenkyukai santa barbarahttp://aksb.orghttp://aksb.org

  Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2012, 06:17 PM   #6
Tom Verhoeven
Dojo: Aikido Auvergne Kumano dojo
Location: Auvergne
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 295
France
Offline
Re: Supporting the less able...

Quote:
Eva Röben wrote: View Post
Dear Stelios,

couldn't you offer them courses in your dojo if that's logistically possible? Then they should be covered like any other student.Your foundation couldn't possibly reject that, could it?

Our dojo is in vicinity to a state boarding school for children from problematic households (children who have been taken away from violent parents, parents parking their kids there while they do a detoxication cure, children just abandoned by parents who don't care...) and in the last years we always had some students coming from there. They were insured like anyone else, and they weren't more or less violent than the rest of us. None of them stayed until reaching a high grade, but then none of the other kids does, neither (there is some room for improvement in kids' permanence).

I wih you much luck wiht your endeavour!

Eva
Teaching Aikido to less priviliged children is an excellent idea. I think Eva Roben's idea is a very good alternative.
I know nothing about the law in Greece, but in the Netherlands it is best that the participants become members of the dojo. Only then are they insured - not if they are doing a course. As for the instructor - he has to be certified by a National Aikido organisation. And then you also have to check if you are personally legally liable in case something happens. In the Netherlands this is not the case with sportive activities, you do that on your own risk. Although in one case an exception was made; in a club a group of gymnasts were practising with experienced assistants, but without a certified instructor. An accident did happen and the club was made responsible.
But the law on this is not the same in each European country, so you should try to find some local legal advice.

Good luck with this initiative!

Tom
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2012, 11:09 PM   #7
SteliosPapadakis
Dojo: aikido-dojo-nippos
Location: Crete
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 97
Greece
Offline
Re: Supporting the less able...

Thank you all for your words and support.
Will see what alternatives exist and act accordingly.
  Reply With Quote
Old 10-15-2012, 04:07 PM   #8
jackleach
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 1
Offline
Re: Supporting the less able...

Lia Suzuki Sensei is successfully running her nonprofit dojo here in Santa Barbara and in L.A., off of that idea. She provides discounts for at-risk-youth, military veterans and families with low economical stature. It's a noble and righteous cause, keep going with your idea!
  Reply With Quote

Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:38 AM.



vBulletin Copyright © 2000-2024 Jelsoft Enterprises Limited
----------
Copyright 1997-2024 AikiWeb and its Authors, All Rights Reserved.
----------
For questions and comments about this website:
Send E-mail
plainlaid-picaresque outchasing-protistan explicantia-altarage seaford-stellionate