Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Let kids be LEADERs, and we all benefit in the long run
“CHILDREN are the future of tomorrow – if we teach them right, they will contribute to a better world which means we all benefit.”
Christian Jiu-Jitsu Academy (CJA) founder Mike Herbig runs a Learning Excellence And Developing Empowered Responsibility (LEADER) course for children between the ages of 11 and 18 in Durbanville and Table View.
The purpose of the course is to teach youngsters life skills, how to be a jiu-jitsu instructor, communication, how to study, teamwork and all things needed to live life more successfully.
Camryn Consul, a member at CJA, said: “I love being able to come together as a group and learn things from each other, no matter the age.”
Her classmate, Jodie Barkhuizen, said: “I enjoy being around people and learning how to manage kids and adults when teaching them. The LEADER course is important and gives me responsibilities I need to learn in life,” she said.
“The LEADER course is important as nowadays we are content with being average, but I’ve realised that no LEADER is average; they strive for excellence.The
LEADER course truly does change your life for the better,” she added.
Herbig said: “This course is an ongoing developmental programme which goes beyond what can be taught in normal classes or even in school.
“It covers a range of physical, intellectual, emotional, teaching, business and life skills needed to become a successful CJA instructor; also to become an accomplished pioneer of life and for you to stand out, head and shoulders among your peers.
“I believe that we do not have enough specialised development of children’s leadership opportunities. I created the course to identify those young ones within my academy that had something extra and wanted more,” said Herbig. “Children are the future of tomorrow… if we teach them right, they will contribute to a better world which means we all benefit.”