The Tunisian team spent 15 days in the Asian nation, where they participated in the Korea Open and were also given the chance to meet with World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) President Chungwon Choue at the governing body’s headquarters in Seoul.

“Although we are not wealthy, as Muslims, we want to donate some money for the THF to help refugees in Syria and other places,” one of the cadets said.

Due to the limited funds within the Tunisian Taekwondo Federation (TTF), the group had to raise the money for the trips themselves but they are still keen to donate to the THF, which seeks to teach taekwondo and related educational programmes to refugees and displaced persons worldwide.

Pilot projects are already underway in Syrian refugee camps in Jordan and Turkey, and among earthquake victims in Nepal.

As well taking part in nine days of competition at the Korea Open, the young taekwondo players from the African country also participated in the seven-day poomsae training course at Kyunghee University.

They were led by 46-year-old coach Belgesem Jleli, who is also an international referee.

"South Korea is the only place where a master must come,” he said. 

“I hope the kids and I can come next time."

Jleli regularly holds classes three days a week in the Tunisian town of Regueb Sidibouzid and also trains athletes from his own home.

"I had to give up and lost many things during my own childhood, so I could not achieve my dream as a taekwondo athlete,” he said.

“I want to give opportunities and enough chances to the kids I train so they can achieve their dreams and reach their goals.”