Our visit to Aguila Jiujitsu in Midland, Texas represented an important part of the mission: building support at home so we can continue creating opportunity for underserved communities abroad and beyond.

Through the support of the Aguila Jiujitsu community, we were able to host a seminar, collect donated gis, raise funds, and share the larger vision behind our outreach efforts.

A Seminar With Purpose

The seminar brought together students, coaches, and supporters for a day of training and connection. Beyond the techniques shared on the mat, the event created an opportunity to talk about how jiu-jitsu communities can directly support students and academies with fewer resources.

Events like this show how local academies can become part of a much larger network of service — helping collect gear, raise awareness, and connect people to meaningful outreach.

Collecting Gis and Donations

One of the key goals of the event was collecting gis and training gear that could be redistributed to athletes and students in need.

These donations help support our broader gi distribution initiative, which has helped collect and redistribute more than 1,000 gis and no-gi kits across the Philippines and multiple countries.

“A gi sitting unused in one closet can become someone else’s first real opportunity to train.”

Raising Awareness Through Community

The Aguila Jiujitsu event also helped raise awareness around the mission behind the work: using jiu-jitsu as a bridge to create access, mentorship, confidence, and opportunity.

Every conversation, donation, and shared story helped more people understand how simple acts of support can create real impact for young athletes and developing programs around the world.

Why Local Support Matters

While much of our outreach has focused on the Philippines, the work depends heavily on support from communities here in the United States. Academies like Aguila Jiujitsu play an important role by helping mobilize students, collect equipment, and create momentum behind the mission.

These efforts remind us that global outreach often begins locally — through people willing to give, share, and support something larger than themselves.

Looking Ahead

We are grateful to Aguila Jiujitsu, head coach Cyril Smith, the students, coaches, donors, and everyone who helped make the Midland seminar possible.

As Sibol Foundation continues to grow, events like this will remain a vital part of the mission — connecting local communities to global impact through jiu-jitsu.