How did the community form, why is it important and how is it creating a positive impact?

 

Justin Hu started to practice Kung Fu Wushu when he was eight, he became two-time national Wushu champion and Pan-American Wushu Championship Gold medalist as he progressed into middle school and high school. In 2016, when Justin was in eighth grade, he created the non-profit organization ABLE Kung Fu for kids with disabilities, seeking to build the attributes of discipline, grit, and honor in students of every ability. He, together with his Wushu peers who share the same vision and humanitarian hearts, have

been teaching children with or without disabilities in churches, after-schools and summer schools for the past three years

impacting about 4,350 students representing more than 80 countries with students coming from different heritage background.   It is important - An "able" life starts with the mindset.  When we empower the children with confidence, we bring light to the world.

 

What is your role in the community and how long have they been part of it?

​

Justin Hu is the Founder and President of Able Kung Fu since 2016.  He has been devoting himself and this non-profit organization since the beginning of the establishment. Under his leadership and vision, ABLE Kung Fu grows from teaching Kung Fu Wushu at local churches, community centers, summer schools into a global program supporting health and education in underserved communities around the world.  He is now also the President of Able Music and soon-to-be Able Arts.

 

Tell us about how this community comes together in real life.

 

Justin Hu started to practice Kung Fu when he was eight, he became two-time national Wushu champion and Pan-American Wushu Championship Gold medalist as he progressed in middle school and high school. In 2016, when Justin was in eighth grade, he created the non-profit organization ABLE Kung Fu for kids with disabilities, seeking to build the attributes of discipline, grit, and honor in students of every ability. Justin's goal in initiating the ABLE Kung Fu project was to develop a program that allows kids and students with disabilities to enjoy a chance at participating in sports and activities, like martial arts. Drawing from his experience as a Kung Fu champion, he together with his Wushu peers who share the same vision and humanitarian hearts partnered with his local church to use the location as a site to give Kung Fu lessons to students with disabilities every week. Through the years, Justin has taught children with disabilities in churches, after-schools and summer schools impacting about 3,350 students representing more than 80 countries with students coming from different heritage background. 

 

In 2017, Able Kung Fu partnered with a school in Dakar, Senegal in Africa. The school had only a single well as their water supply for over 600 students, staff plus the surrounding village families.  Only a few gallons of water could be drawn at once.  Considering the heat and the health risks, keeping the students hydrated seemed an impossible task.  With the money raised by ABLE Kung Fu, the school in Senegal installed a reliable water pump, allowing access to water throughout the school for streamlined plumbing, running water, and most importantly, safe hydration for students, teachers and the villagers totaling around more than 1,000 residents in the area.

 

How would members of the community describe you?

 

From his Kung Fu Master "You are civically engaged in a troubled world and have risen to the challenge of helping in a meaningful way..."

 

From his teachers at school “I feel compelled to mention that this young man embodies absolutely everything that we are looking for: he is a well-rounded student and an overachiever in every way. In addition to founding his own non-profit in 8th grade (on his own I might add). He came up with (and funded, through his non-profit) the idea to install an electric water pump for the school in Senegal, so that the 1,000+ students who attend and nearby families will have drinking water and a reliable, first-ever plumbing system. We have been working on projects together since last spring, and I have thoroughly enjoyed him.”

 

At Senegal, Justin was given a Senegalese name of “Cheikh Anta Diop” in honor of his contribution to the underserved school near Dakar. There is a university in Dakar named after ““Cheikh Anta Diop” called Cheikh Anta Diop University for his contribution to this country.  The officials chose this name to give to Justin to express their gratitude, endorsement and appreciation for Justin’s work and leadership. “Thank you very, very much Mr. Able Kung Fu for bringing water into this community and school. As he says water is life, without water no one can survive...the fact you are thinking in achieving this project is something we really, really appreciate and thank you very, very much! You are very humble, but what you've done can lead other people to learn from you, both adult and young people because what you have done is so important.  You are just humble, but everybody can learn from you. They will remember it and they will see what they can do...You are a great teacher!"

 

 

How can this program best support your nominee in their role as a community leader?

 

Able Kung Fu has burgeoned into a global program: Able Kung Fu International, which supports healing through the funding of individual medical procedures for children in need and the kind of healing that accompanies creative expression and empowerment in underserved communities around the world.

 

The problem Justin identified to solve is youth empowerment, which takes confidence and grit but also takes good health. Without health, these kids can't grow up to be the voices that lead their community out of the cycle of poverty and helplessness.

 

A dedicated social entrepreneur but also a musician (a dedicated violinist and ehru performer), Justin is now branching out to create global divisions of Able Kung Fu, Able Music, and Able Arts. Inspired by Justin’s deeds and Able Kung Fu’s mission, Able Music was established under Able Kung Fu in California by students creating a social good franchise of Able Kung Fu in Rancho Cucamonga.  They are carrying musical instruments to serve villages of unprivileged students in Taiwan and China during the summer of 2018.

 

In the meantime, another group of students in Washington DC are planning on establishing Able Arts under Able Kung Fu for the same mission.

 

In a new endeavor, but one close to Justin’s heart, Able Kung Fu is currently seeking to fund medical procedures for children in desperate medical need—helping those who are unable to become able in a world of challenge and endless possibilities.  Through funding life-changing and life-saving medical procedures for children in need, Able Kung Fu International strives to nurture and shape the next generation—one child at a time.  

 

With your help, Able Kung Fu will be enabled to save more lives—one child at a time; to inspire more “Able” organizations to serve our nation and the world, to empower more youth in underserved communities globally, and bring more light to children in need!