A group of elderly women from Korogocho slums, Nairobi County, have attracted international attention for their prowess in taekwondo.
The group of fifteen, led by Jane Kimaru, have since been featured by international media outlets such as the World Is One News (WION) and the New York Post for their skillful display.
While appearing on an interview on WION on Thursday, September 24, the 60-year-old team leader revealed that she started the group with the aim of equipping her colleagues with self-defense skills.
The instructor further added that she was motivated to start the classes after she realized that many elderly women in her neighborhood were being assaulted in their homes.
“Women from slums should come together and join hands to learn self-defense. You do not need a lot of energy to protect yourself,” she stated.
Kimaru’s class has attracted many elderly women from the Korogocho slum and its environs, with the oldest student aged 100 years.
As part of their training, the instructor also revealed that she trains the grannies on ways to raise an alarm when they are in distress.
In the video, the grannies can be seen hitting and kicking a punching bag while shouting no.
“The classes have helped me to learn how to defend myself and not to fear anyone. Now I have the skills to shout no loudly,” 76-year-old Ann Wathera stated.
On her part, Esther Wambui added that the lessons have helped her to protect herself and her family. However, she noted that most people still make fun of the grannies’ resolve to learn martial arts.
“I have been trained properly and I believe that I am adept in self-defense. Many people can look at us and say that we are foolish. We are not intimidated or afraid,” Wambui stated.
Just like any other martial art class, the grannies are guided by strict rules with the latecomers required to do fifteen sit-ups before joining the session.
Taekwondo is a martial art of Korean origin that involves kicking and punching.
Many Kenyans have since lauded the group for their courage, stating that the elderly women were role models to girls all over the world.
“These women are celebrities in my homeland Kenya, I love them, especially how they narrate their tales,” Erick Njoka tweeted.
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