Our Mission
Our mission is to provide free karate lessons to underprivileged children in Colombia, fostering discipline, confidence, and personal growth. Through our initiative, we are dedicated to empowering these children by providing the tools and support they need to build a brighter and more promising future.
Our Vision
A world where every child, regardless of their socio-economic background, has access to the resources and opportunities to thrive and grow.
What we do
The Zarate Sensei Karate-Do Association was founded in 2021 by the Zárate Pinzón family with a vision to create a positive impact on the lives of children in vulnerable communities in Bogotá, Colombia.
Since 2021 we have worked tirelessly to offer children from low-income backgrounds the opportunity to learn and grow through the practice of Karate-Do. Through this initiative, we have provided a safe space for children to develop discipline, confidence, and essential life values, all while fostering a sense of empowerment.
As the program has grown and gained recognition within the community, we are now taking the next step in our journey, formalizing our efforts into a registered charity. This allow us to expand our reach, ensure sustainability, and continue to offer support to children in need.
From left: Natalia Zárate, Yani Pinzón, Sensei Rodrigo Delgado, Laura Zárate, Fernando Daniel Zárate
Fernando Zarate’s Legacy
The Zárate Pinzón family started the initiative after the passing of Fernando Zárate in June 2021. Fernando was a resilient individual who overcame significant challenges throughout his life. Growing up in a low-income family in Colombia, he faced limited access to education. With financial support from his uncle, Fernando took up karate, which would become a pivotal part of his life.
Despite leaving school at the age of 11 to work in construction, he pursued his education through radio broadcasts, ultimately graduating. At just 14, he represented Colombia in a karate tournament in Costa Rica. To fund his university education, he established and taught karate at Universidad La Salle in Colombia, leading to his recruitment by the Special Police Academy to train agents.Through hard work and dedication, Fernando earned his black belt and a degree in civil engineering, allowing him to build a prosperous life in Canada, a country he loved and was proud of.
The Zarate Sensei initiative honours his legacy and aims to provide opportunities for children. This initiative is founded by our family, but it has become increasingly difficult to sustain financially. We have witnessed the significant growth and positive impact it has had on the children, which is why we are seeking support to ensure its continuation