How does war change people? Are we ready to learn something new in order to adapt to modern realities? And what helps to move on?

Natalie's story is about that. About responsibility, internal resistance and the choice to master a new profession in order to feel more confident in the conditions of war.

In 2014, Natalia Nitishevska saved lives in Luhansk and Donetsk region as a military medic. Today she is studying again — this time to master the profession of locksmith and repairman.

Natalie is 30 years old. She is from Vinnitsa, a veteran, mother of two children, and now with her husband is waiting for her third child. After her discharge from military service, it is important for Natalie not just to build a civilian life, but to have the resilience, confidence and practical skills that help in everyday challenges.

When a full-scale invasion began, Natalia was again ready to join the service. But due to the fact that the children were still very young, she was refused. But the need to be useful has not disappeared anywhere. That is why she decided to acquire a new specialty within the project “Skills for Inclusion”.

“The new profession now is to have extra support in life. Because I don't know where I will be in a month, where my husband will be. Now I want to acquire the skills that the country needs so much.

Participation in the project already gives Natalia a practical result. She knows how to independently make rivet connections, assemble and disassemble gearboxes, work with threads and locksmith's vise.

A woman applies new knowledge in everyday life, in particular, repairs equipment on her own. Then he wants to try himself in car repair.

The project gave Natalie not only the opportunity to master a new specialty, but also a sense of support, inclusion and more confidence in her own abilities.

“Studying in this project has been a very valuable experience for me. The most memorable atmosphere of support and acceptance was the feeling that you were not alone, that you were heard and understood.

I gained not only new knowledge, but also confidence in myself and my abilities. This experience is truly inspiring and gives inner support. I sincerely recommend that women not be afraid to master technical professions.”

The project “Skills for inclusion: workplace training for the activation of vulnerable groups” is implemented by NGO “Ukrainian Professional Development” with financial support from the European Union, Germany, Poland, Estonia and Denmark within the framework of the multi-donor initiative Skills4Recovery, implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeschaft GIIT (GIZ) GmbH and Solidarity Fund PL (SFPL).

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