Santa Clarita’s UFC Gym will host a fundraiser for their trainer, Sensei Lilly Alvarado, to teach underprivileged children in Mexico self-defense skills.

She will be traveling to Oaxaca, Mexico from March 18 to March 24 to give the kids a taste of self-defense as a confidence booster.

Alvarado is an employee of UFC Gym in Santa Clarita and a well-known boxing and kickboxing trainer.

“The management and staff of UFC Gym Santa Clarita fully support Lilly and her endeavors with this,” said UFC Gym Santa Clarita assistant general manager and fitness director Alexis Briano. “Our whole staff is behind her.”

Although Oaxaca is generally known for its architecture and colorful murals, Alvarado discovered through her church, Elevate Church in Newhall, that an organization was planning to work with Oaxaca’s underprivileged local children in the coming months, and wanted to help.

Related: UFC Gym Santa Clarita Offering Youth Program

Alvarado teamed up with eKids Global, an organization that recently built a school in the area to provide free education, meals, healthcare, and transportation for children in Oaxaca, according to the organization.

“It’s very inspirational. She’s great with the children and I’ve noticed they gain a lot of confidence with her,” said Briano.

In Oaxaca, 45 percent of the child and youth population is illiterate, and many have never attended school. The education system in the region is about 50 years behind modern teaching standards, according to eKids Global.

Because of this, children as young as two-years-old are having to work on the streets, selling gum, candy and cigarettes in order to help support their families.

Children are trafficked and forced into work labor by illegal underground organizations who promise parents a “better life,” according to the organization.

Alvarado needs the community’s help to reach a goal of $1,100 to cover travel expenses.

Santa Clarita’s UFC Gym will be holding a fundraiser in the form of a free workout and raffle on Feb. 10 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

UFC Santa Clarita is located at 18655 Soledad Canyon in Santa Clarita.

Those who are interested in donating for Alvarado’s trip, can also donate online here.

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