When one girl stands tall, she inspires many to rise. I have realised that every small effort we make at DFEND is like planting a seed of strength – a seed that will keep growing inside the girls, even after the workshop ends.
Carrying learning from the last batch, we began Day 1 with a brand-new group of 190 students. And with them began a brand-new journey. Many of these girls had seen the previous batch practicing and were eagerly waiting for their own turn, so the excitement level was already high. But at the same time there was the same nervousness, the same curiosity, and those same wide eyes filled with questions of “What will we learn today?” The energy was raw, but it was real. Some girls stood confidently in the front row, while others hesitated at the back. But I knew, from experience, that by the end of this journey, many of those shy voices would transform into powerful “Kiais!” echoing across the hall.
We began the workshop by breaking the ice, introducing the team, and explaining the four parts of our program: Karate Training, Practical Application, Activity for Home, and Awareness Talks. At first, there were shy smiles and hesitant voices, but slowly, as we moved through the drills, the hesitation began to melt. The sound of the first “Kiai” was a little soft, but soon it grew louder, sharper, and braver.
In today’s session, we also laid importance on understanding IPC rules – emphasizing that the force used in self-defense must always be proportionate to the threat and necessary to avert the danger. Self-defense is a vital skill, but using it irresponsibly or negatively can lead to legal consequences – a lesson as important as the strikes and stances themselves.