For almost two years of operation, thousands of teenage girls from different parts of Ukraine have completed the Brave course and self-defense training from the project. Everyone is different, everyone has their own story and experience. At the Brave project and trainings, girls learn something that they will not be taught at school or at any other training. They become more self-confident and braver.
“During the classes, the girls share their own experience of how to fight back. Because to even say “no” or somehow harm someone who shows aggression, you also need to have courage,” says Kateryna Vasylieva, trainer of the Brave and the Honored Master of Sports of Ukraine in hand-to-hand combat. “At training, we not only give them a base of techniques, but also try to encourage them to engage in any sport in the future. First of all, for themselves. I really wish they would never need the skills they learn in self-defense training. However, these skills are very important to have.”
The Brave not only teaches self-defense, the program creates a community of teenage girls in different cities of Ukraine. And also instills love for sports. Sometimes after the Brave girls even go into professional sports. This is what happened to Liza Yevchuk from Dnipro.
“I learned about the Brave from my school teacher. I became interested – and I signed up. The material on self-defense was conveyed to us in a very cool way. Everything was clear, everything worked out. On the Brave, I found many friends with whom I currently maintain communication, began to understand myself better and realized that one should not give up, one should go to the end, to the goal. And now I’m not afraid to walk down the street alone, because no matter what happens, I can protect myself.”
Liza liked self-defense and trainer Kateryna, who led the class, so much that she decided to continue practicing.
“I really like to train! I feel strong and brave! I recently returned from an international tournament held in Belgium. About 10 countries took part in it. I have been preparing and training for this tournament for about six months. It was very exciting and thrilling for me. I would like to say that all athletes have a very high level of training. I had four matches, of which I won two and lost two. Of course, I plan to continue training! The Brave course became my stepping stone to my dream. I really want to thank my trainer Kateryna Vasylieva and the Masha Fund for the Brave self-defense course!”
