3 Days TIMD workshop in Kenya and Launching of a new TIMD Club

The workshop which took place from 16th to 18th December 2005, with 20 participants was the official launching of a new Tong-Il Moo-Do Club in Bungoma District: Nzoia Sugar Tong-Il Moo-Do Club. This is the 6th TIMD Club in Western Province. Being a new Club, nine of the participants had been training since July 2005, the others had just joined shortly before the workshop.

The training program had three sessions per day: Lecture session and two training sessions.

The training concentrated more on the: " Basics, " Linear and Circular motion, " One-step sparring; single stroke, " Circular forms, " Form number one, " Advanced techniques (reverse kicks etc).

The Tong-Il Moo-Do self defense system; we covered the defense against grabs: " Same hand and Double hands form front and rear, " Cross hands, " Finger control " Embrace from rear, " Against two opponents holding both hands from sides.

Lectures:

The IEF based lectures, with Slide Projector we covered; " The need for Moral Education " Life Goals and Universal Values " HIV / AIDS focus on prevention The theme of the HIV/AIDS lecture was "AIDS is a Moral Problem". Basic areas comprehensively covered were: " Introduction and explanation of HIV and AIDS " Process of and entry HIV virus into the blood stream " The different stages of HIV development to fully blown AIDS " Ways of HIV virus transmission " Prevention Measures. The conclusion was that the realization of the three basic life goals is the most effective way to stop the escalation of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and also helping people to find meaning in life. The participants appreciated the lectures and suggested the possibility of organizing a longer workshop in future so that they can learn more.

Public Relations

During the tour in the Sugar Factory, we met with several high level Company officials:

Engineering Manager: He applauded the introduction of Tong-Il Moo-Do in the company and mentioned that it will be highly beneficial to the employees. It will help them utilize their free time positively and constructively.

The welfare Officer, in a written note, expressed the consent for the Tong-Il Moo-Do Club to use the Company facilities for their training. He also wished that Timd can be able to tap the extra talents of the company employees.

The Chairman of the Unionizable Employees gave some advice on how best the TIMD training can be organized so as to give a chance to as many workers as possible to participate.

Field Manager, was present during the grading, he gave a brief address. He mentioned that Tong-Il Moo-Do training was a good and timely initiative, noting that he saw it for the first time in the District. He advised the practitioners to live and practice what they learnt. He particularly impressed by the internal education that focused on character building, and guiding people to have good relationship with each other, in their families and with the society.

Grading

The final day of the workshop, the grading ceremony took place in the afternoon. Ten practitioners took part in the promotion test. Nine of them were grading for the first time. One was an instructor of one of the Clubs in the province. He was awarded the highest level to a brown belt. He has been a holder of Blue/Brown stripe since December 2004.

Demonstration after the grading

The Timd representative in the Western Province also is the instructor of the Nzoia Sugar Club; Stephen Khaemba, performed Chang Jo eui Bon and self-defense techniques including throws, locks and chokes. He also demonstrated the jumping fall (rolling).

The practitioners promised to formalize the Club status and recruit more members so that beginning next year they can participate fully in all the National programs.

Francis M. Njiru International Instructor