There is no better feeling than being proud of oneself
He walks across the sports centre with self-confidence. Just from his look, his figure seems imposing. With a robust, strong constitution, full of big tattoos and with a serious look on his face, everyone listens to him. One word echoes constantly across the room (“Osu!”) while the students, youth of different nationalities, follow their senpai’s orders. It is a class by José Luis Redondo, known by everyone as Lee. He is the author of the social project Dojo Can Peixauet, which promotes social inclusion in Santa Coloma using karate as its main tool.
José Luis Redondo, 44 years old, is more commonly known in Santa Coloma as Lee Redondo or just Lee. Strolling around the neighbourhood streets with him, it is impossible to walk a few metres without having someone greet him or stop to talk to him. The children look up to him and the adults are grateful for his great contribution, which has considerably improved the atmosphere in the area. José Luis is the author of the non-profit social project Dojo Can Peixauet, which, combining karate lessons with an active social follow-up of the participants, managed to change the harmful, destructive behaviour of several youth at risk of social exclusion. Dōjō is the Japanese word for the space where modern traditional martial arts are taught and practised. It literally means “awakening place,” referring to the search for physical, moral, mental and spiritual perfection. It is overseen by a master, the sensei. It all began when, by the river near Can Peixauet, Redondo challenged four teens of Moroccan and Rumanian origin who were causing problems at the local library. As of today, he has over 140 students and there is a waiting list to participate in his project.
The project is free for its participants, who must follow a set of rules: attending the training sessions, being members of the library, reading at least one book a month, not getting into trouble and studying or working. Lee wants karate to be the pretext to awaken their interest for reading and for sexual education, so that participants develop healthy attitudes and respect for people who are discriminated against for sexual reasons.
In addition to helping his students with their everyday problems, Lee also participates in charity projects, gives self-defence workshops for women and does talks about his project and work ethos. Although the City Hall lets them use the sports facilities, the project finances itself exclusively through the awards and grants it receives. “Currently, nobody is helping us. I don’t understand why”.
When lights go off at the sports centre and students return to their homes, Lee, after a long day, takes off his karate suit and becomes José Luis again. When asked about the most important thing in his life, he replies without having to think about it: “Paula, my daughter.”
* This project was exhibited at the Festival Enfocats in 2017 and was later one of the finalists in the photojournalism category at the Festival Gollut.