JUSTIN HU
UNITED STATES, 17
Project: ABLE Kung Fu
Basic Human Needs: Education, Health
At age 13, Justin traveled to Costa Rica to compete in the 2016 Pan-American Wushu Kung Fu Championships. While there, he came down with a severe case of strep throat and felt discouraged to compete. He received comfort, support and advice from his fellow competitors, who all represented many countries and cultures. In that moment, Justin realized Kung Fu signified a global community, and that a shared passion could spark empowerment and unity. Shortly after, Justin founded ABLE Kung Fu to engage kids of all abilities in discipline and community through free martial arts classes. Since 2016, ABLE Kung Fu has transformed into an international organization, leading summer camps, afterschool programs and workshops for over 6,350 students representing 80 countries. In 2017, Justin partnered with a school in Dakar, Senegal to raise funds and provide water pumps for over 1,000 residents. ABLE Kung Fu continued to use their platform for social impact – including raising funds for Taiwanese and Chinese orphanages and 21 pediatric surgeries around the world. In the summer of 2019, Justin partnered with a group of international medical volunteers to provide students in rural China with proper eye care. Justin was recognized with the 2019 Prudential Spirit of Community State Honoree Award for his impact. Justin is working to launch ABLE branches that apply their core principles by teaching a variety of skills, such as ABLE Art and ABLE Music. He hopes one day to establish a variety of ABLE chapters, sports teams and service clubs in schools worldwide.