Her attention was constantly drawn to the art of manicure, as she often watched her neighbor doing manicures. These memories date back to her teenage years — shared by Valeria, a participant in the retraining courses from Voice of Romni. A resident of Kharkiv, she is convinced that women need various skills because you never know where life will lead.

It was at that time, thanks to her neighbor, that Valeria first tried her hand at being a manicurist. She was taught basic techniques and helped to choose her first materials. At first, the girl did manicures for her mother and grandmother, but soon she realized that she wanted to develop this skill professionally.

And Valeria got the opportunity. A friend told her about the manicure course offered by our organization with the support of HIAS Ukraine. The girl filled out the application and received an email saying she was accepted into the course.

“My parents support me in this. When my mom found out I was invited to these courses, she was very happy and excited,” Valeria recalls.

Thanks to her family’s support and the new opportunities, she chose the path of knowledge, development, and financial independence. She not only acquired professional manicure skills but also attended additional leadership training, which helped her believe in her own abilities.

“The leadership session was very useful. We had an interesting conversation with the trainer, learned how to write a proper resume, and where to look for job opportunities. I really enjoyed the training because it’s all helpful for the future, so that we can find a job later.”

Valeria is already ready to work as a manicure artist and earn. She understands that opening her own salon requires time, money, and experience, but she confidently moves forward toward her goal.

We remind you: Roma women have the opportunity to take retraining courses and additional training for free. By investing in them, we are investing in the future of Ukraine. The comprehensive approach that combines professional education and leadership skill development provides participants not only with the tools for work but also with confidence in their abilities, while forming a circle of like-minded individuals. We believe that women who have knowledge and support from one another can change their own lives and the world around them.

Retraining and upskilling courses for Roma women were supported by HIAS Ukraine as part of a partnership with the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA). The information presented in this material does not always reflect the views of HIAS and JFNA.