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 continue to grow within the girls, even after the training session ends.
Building on the lessons learned from the previous batch, we began Day 1 with a new group of students from the same school. 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.