All good things must come to an end, and unfortunately we are near the wrap up of the partnership between É Nois and Girls in Gi’s scholarship program. This campaign helped to provide gi’s and tuition assistance for disadvantaged females wanting to participate in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. For every Next Generation Gi #3 bought, É Nois Clothing donated a gi to the Girls in Gis scholarship program. The fundraiser ends Sunday February 19th.
We have awarded our first gi donation to Yesenia a white belt of Aloisio Silva. Yesenia has wanted to train in Martial Arts her whole life, however growing up impoverished she was never given the opportunity to participate. Even as an adult, she says she found it hard to justify spending the monthly fee on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. However recently she found a gym that had an affordable monthly membership fee and her childhood dream finally came true. Having scraped together the funds to begin her training Yesenia’s first gi was borrowed and obviously doesn’t fit her. She says that it was been a huge blow to her self-esteem.
“I felt that everyone was looking at me because of how ridiculous I looked. I grew up having hand me downs for everything that I owned. It was not a big deal, but being an adult, not being able to afford a Gi was a bit frustrating. I saved money to buy a Gi from my instructor. I train 2-4 times a week and with only one Gi available, so I do have to wash my Gi 2-4 times a week.”
For Yesenia having a second Gi will benefit her tremendously and relieve the stress of having to wash and dry her one Gi. As a busy mother of two, who works full-time, and attends college full-time her free time is basically non-existent. And while not having to wash a Gi may seem like something minimal, for someone like her, it is of much importance because she always must make the best of the time she has.
Yesenia’s goals in Jiu Jitsu are to continue training and competing for as long as she can. She says she would like to become a black belt. Jiu Jitsu is an art form that she thinks will be beneficial to her in my career goals which are to become a doctor in the military.
“Training women in the military further self defense is very important and I would like to help in that. I should be awarded the scholarship because I am an active and committed Jiu Jitsu practitioner and I intend to stay that way. I have goals to stay in the sport and use it to benefit other women as well. I am a true believer that women should build each other up and empower each other. We already have enough people tearing us down, especially those who think we don’t belong in a sport that they think is a man’s sport.”
Please help us to help women and girls like Yesenia. Had an opportunity like the Girls in Gis scholarship come around when she was a child who knows where she would be now. Please help us make a difference in the lives of the next generation of Girls in Gis.
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The Girls in Gis scholarship program is currently accepting applications. The scholarship is open to females of all ages and levels of experience that are in financial need. Let us help you take your first step on the mats and start a journey of a lifetime. If you or if you know someone that can benefit from this program we strongly encourage you to apply. Apply here: www.girls-in-gis.com/2016-girls-in-gis-sponsorship