Gillitts’ Jarrod lends a hand to a community in need
Jarrod plans to build a dojo in the area so that the children can have more access to training and can also qualify for competitions. He said he wants to have a bigger class.
GILLITTS resident, Jarrod Odendal, has made a difference in young children’s lives by spreading his love for karate.
The 16-year-old Roseway Waldorf learner has dedicated his Thursday afternoons to the children of Inchanga where he teaches karate to the toddlers and Grade R learners at the 1000 Hill Community Centre.
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Jarrod started training in karate when he was four-years-old with Sensei Ben Mare in Hillcrest, the same age most of his students are.
He has also taken four young adults under his wing and they help teach the classes and fill in for him if he can’t make it.
“The guys I teach are very enthusiastic, they do a lot for the community and the centre,” he said.
Jarrod, who has made the karate Protea Team which will represent the country in the Commonwealth 2022 Games, has made the people of Inchanga part of his life.
Apart from teaching karate, he raises funds for the 1000 Hills Community Centre.
One of the campaigns Jarrod got involved in is the Thuma Mina – I want to lend a hand campaign.
During his school social experience at the centre, he had a beautiful hand-printed T-shirt made with the children’s handprints which he wore for his school speech, and in Japan.
Since then more T-shirts were made and given to the community as a fund-raising campaign for the centre to raise funds for a needed new Trailer Venture which will assist in distributing food to the community.
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The 1000 Hills Community Centre is run by founder and CEO of the 1000 Community Helpers, Dawn Leppan. It is a non-profit organisation based in Inchanga and aims to improve the lives of those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
Jarrod plans to build a dojo in the area so that the children can have more access to training and can also qualify for competitions. He said he wants to have a bigger class.
“The Grade R’s leave the centre and go to various schools in the area and they don’t get to experience karate again so the hope is that the children will be able to continue with their karate training and get the opportunity to compete in national competitions,” he said.
Jarrod added that he is very grateful to be part of the Protea team, “I would like to thank Karate South Africa for affording me this opportunity, representing the country is an honour for me,” he said.
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