Second Annual Girls MMA Camp

As you know Lucas and I have had great success with girls MMA club at the junior secondary school. The group of girls we are working with are at a vulnerable age, subject to low self esteem and starting to experiment with sex, much like most girls around the world at that age (14-16 yrs old). Unfortunately I wasn’t able to open up the club to primary school students because of location and equipment. We had such a great turn out at the Girls MMA Camp last December that we agreed to do another one.

In December 2010 Lucas and I held the second annual Girls MMA Camp. We opened the camp to all girls of all ages. Last year the intention of the camp was to teach girls the basics of mixed martial arts and to promote the club we were starting at Lempu CJSS. Since we had a solid turnout for the club, we focused our attention on strengthening the girls’ MMA skills and encouraging their participation in physical activity.

Once again we had a huge turnout. The girls eagerly helped sweep, set out and mop the gymnastics mats, and even run warm-ups. Over the week we had 34 participants, seven returning from last year. The girls picked up on boxing punches/kicks well. Their favorite activity was probably using the boxing pads we borrowed from Lempu. They got to actually make contact with their fists and feet vs. shadow boxing. It was very empowering for them.

We went more in depth with Brazilian jiu jitsu, teaching an americana and rear-naked choke. Of course we taught the girls how to safely submit an opponent and how to tap before it caused pain. My favorite is watching the girls perform takedowns. Two girls of similar build are matched up and try to take each other down to the mat. Any wrestler would be impressed with these girls’ determination and form.

One day we had a special guest, the karate instructor from Lempu CJSS. He assisted us in language barriers as well as promoted the girls to join his karate class after our Peace Corps service is finished and we are unable to continue the MMA club. After class he commented on how well the girls responded to us as instructors and also how well they worked to help each other if one of the girls did not understand instructions.

I never intended to teach mixed martial arts to girls when I joined Peace Corps. In fact it was the encouragement of fellow Peace Corps volunteers who saw the positive effects this type of instruction could offer girls in this culture. I’m sad that there is to no chance for the club to continue after the end of our service. My hope is that the girls I was able to reach these past two years will go on to become good role models for others as strong, confident women who demand more for themselves than what was expected in generations past.