A FIGHTING CHANCE

As children, we find inspiration from all sorts of places. From a good teacher, perhaps. Or a sports figure, a friend, or even a president. The luckiest of us are motivated by caring parents and grandparents. 

Some kids, like the Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao, didn’t have many positive influences. Working to help his single mom care for six kids, Pacquiao started boxing for money before he could drive. By the time he was 20, he had become a world champion of his sport. His story of street fighter to champion has inspired thousands of kids in his home country, as we found out last week.

At 6:30 am on a Saturday morning, on the docks of the Palawan capital of Puerto Princesa, we watched a group of kids between 8-12 spar with each other in full boxing gear. Supervised by three adults, the boys moved across the concrete stones gracefully, their moves defying their young age.

They didn't fight angrily. They listened to their trainers, who would stop the action to give feedback. The fights also had to be halted to re-adjust the kids’ gloves and headgear, which was often held on by the Filipino equivalent of duct tape. The weathered headgear would slip down over a fighter’s eyes, or a glove, its elastic long ago worn out, would shift out of place.

One of the adults on hand, who spoke broken English, told us he wished he’d had the support the kids have now. “Since Pacquiao, now everyone want to be boxer,” he said, smiling as he motioned toward the kids and fellow trainers. “I wish I had this, had Pacquiao. Maybe I be world champion, too.”

We asked the man if there was anything they needed to help the kids. New equipment, perhaps?

He said, yes, maybe new equipment would be nice. So while volunteering wasn’t a viable option (Kip really didn’t really want a black eye from a ten-yr-old), helping them get some new protective gear from a local store was.

No matter where they are, kids are going to find inspiration, whether it be at home or school, in the streets, or in the boxing ring.

If you’re interested in inspiring a young person, one great place to start is by serving as a mentor. Big Brother Big Sisters, which links kids in need with adult mentors like you and me, is one such organization. The non-profit operates all over the U.S., and it’s always looking for support.

Another way is to simply Google the name of your town and “mentoring.” You might be surprised by what you’ll find. Or who you could inspire.