Fighting Hands Foundation formed

The people behind the Trench Tech Purebred Saipan Gym has formed a non-profit and non-governmental organization to help the CNMI youth learn various livelihood projects and keep them away from vices.

Trench Tech Purebred Saipan Gym owners Cuki Alvarez and Randy Taylor said they are in the process of completing all documents and other requirements to register the Fighting Hands Foundation.

The Fighting Hands Foundation will be Trench Tech Gym’s arm that will handle all community related programs of their group.

“These hands are not only meant for fighting inside the cage but these hands are also meant for creating things and helping the needy,” said Taylor in a recent interview.

Alvarez and Taylor said they plan to have a trade school at Trench Tech’s new facility in Afetna Square in San Antonio. Trench Tech’s permanent home is located at the Babauta estate behind the Sablan Building. The facility is built on the estate of Vicente SN Babauta.

“We help build good character and discipline to all our students. We help them gain their self-confidence and have pride in everything they do. More than training their fighting skills we want to help them learn other skills that would help them earn money,” said Taylor.

Alvarez said some of the livelihood projects they plan to have at the planned after kids program at the trade school are woodworking, T-shirt printing, automotive repair, basic construction, and auto-marine. “We want to teach them to earn on their own. We are open to other ideas.”

Alvarez and Taylor said they believe in the saying: Give a man a fish and you feed them for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for life.”

“The trade school will be beneficial to the community. They will no longer have to go out of Saipan to learn these skills. All that they will learn can be applied here in our community,” said Alvarez.

Ben Babauta, who is one of Vicente’s sons, said he would support the various projects of the Fighting Hands Foundation. “I am a known community man and if it is beneficial to the kids I am with them 100 percent. The kids need various after school activities.”

Trench Tech’s new home is an old garment factory warehouse measuring 15,708 square feet and is capable of accommodating between 1,500 to 2,000 fight fans.

Trench Tech’s new gym is an air-conditioned facility with ample parking space that can accommodate more than 100 cars.

Trench Tech will follow the same regular business hours for training from 5pm to 8pm from Mondays to Saturdays. They are still selling the Trench Tech clothing line and other gear.

They are also preparing to offer more MMA classes like their planned after-school program for teenagers from 3pm to 5pm and women’s classes. Alvarez said they would inform everyone of future developments.

For more information, call Alvarez at 483-4MMA or 483-4662.