Isaac Mburu Wanyoike is turning a new generation of fencers away from a life of crime by teaching footwork, thrusts, and counterattacks.
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00:00What I love most about fencing is that I use it as a therapy, when I'm emotional, burdened, or mentally not okay.
00:12We usually train. The moment I get my mind into training, I find that it's so therapeutic, something that gives me that sense of belonging.
00:22What motivated me is that I needed to leave the life of crime behind. Fencing was unskeptable because I knew it's a real sport, a unique sport that has opportunities.
00:36And the fact that I've seen other youth changing through it and die changed is something that I hold dear.
00:43My name is Mburu Ranyake. I'm a coach and a pro athlete in the Kenya National Fencing Team.
00:52Life in the ghetto or a slum was really hard. Back then it was an environment where crime was really hard.
01:07The journey started ten years ago. I was coming out of the life of crime. I decided to focus on being an athlete.
01:15Went in deep, hard training, training, training. Went abroad and did my Master of Fencing under the International Fencing Federation.
01:26Coming back, I decided I'm going to start a program that I will ensure that youths, where I come from, are informed.
01:33I'm going to bring them together and educate them.
01:37One, two, three, Tavora! Tavora means something great. And this is a name that I created.
01:45Since we are trying to actually change the life of the youth, a lot of youths from this side have potential.
01:52The problem is, who will hold their hands? Who will show them the path?
01:58So the thing is all about just giving them the opportunity. I have the skill, I have the knowledge.
02:04What will I do to change this? Pass it on. Give them the knowledge, give them the skill.
02:10From there, show them this is the path that they're supposed to take. Crime is not the way.
02:15Our coach was the one who introduced us to a sport. I was motivated because I like unique things.
02:27Fencing is a very unique sport in Kenya.
02:30Right now, with the program, youth are engaging themselves and they want to come in.
02:34We've seen a number rise in terms of those who are interested in participating.
02:39So what we've been doing is ensuring that the opportunities are there. Not just fencing, but financial literacy.
02:45Another program is having some graphics, having some coding, and having trading.
02:51So those are the things that we're actually focusing on. Ensuring that we empower this athlete.
02:56In life skills, they will teach us to have discipline, respect each other, and teamwork.
03:05Coach Isaac is someone who is giving someone an opportunity to prove himself.
03:11And he is someone who likes to talk with us. He's a good person and he's a good coach.
03:18Fifteen. Sensors from Savora in the national team.
03:22Those realizing that Savora is producing international and national athlete, I feel good.
03:28You need to work hard, you need to work smart for you to be at that certain level.
03:32And those who are selected in the national team really do a lot to be at that level.
03:39Most of the athletes come from humble backgrounds.
03:44At some point, these are tough. So they do garbage collection in the community.
03:49To get a little bit of money, to be able to cater for themselves.
03:54They are reaching a certain age whereby they need to sustain themselves in terms of ensuring that they can eat, that they can just buy clothes.
04:04People from here, even a meal, three-squared meal, it's a problem.
04:09We need to ensure that our athletes, they are getting the meal.
04:12When an athlete doesn't eat, how do you expect them to train?
04:15So that's what we are trying to tackle. Ensuring that our athletes are mentally stable, emotionally and physically.
04:24We've been building the facility. The only thing that's remaining is only the roofing, the interior.
04:30We keep on moving. We don't stop. We need to work ourselves to be able to finish the facility.
04:36Just self-funding. We don't complain. Whatever we've got, we use. We keep pushing.
04:44It's not that I went to school to study, being a motivator or something.
04:48It's just from personal experiences.
04:51Because they're young, tell them this is the way that you're supposed to go.
04:54Motivating them to be role models in their communities.
04:59When you start doing great things, other people would want to do as great as you.
05:03Seeing athletes being champions, that's my number one goal.
05:08It's all about the growth. We need everyone to grow personally and as a team.
05:14My aspiration is to be able to tap into and change societies and communities
05:20and ensure that we have athletes who are able to sustain themselves.
05:26It has had a great impact. See, the athletes, how nurtured they are, how empowered they are.
05:33The impact, it has been great to them and the community.
05:36So, that's what we are doing. Ensuring that people are the greatest versions of themselves.
05:41Through fancy, through education. Ensuring that as a person, you're great in your own way.
05:49Once.