My name is Krupenya. I am 16 years old, from Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine. Like many teenagers, I explored various clubs and activities to find my passion. I loved theatre, ballroom dancing, graduated from a music school with a degree in accordion, and attended a computer academy. However, my true passion emerged when I attended an archery course — I fell in love with the sport.
Now, let me ask you a question: Have you ever been in a stressful situation? I assume you have. But do you know how to cope with it? I have faced stress as well, and I found a way to calm myself — archery. This sport is not just about shooting and training; it’s about concentration and self-immersion. In archery, you must feel every muscle: one moves, another rests, one pulls, and another holds. During a shot, your entire body works in harmony. Archery allows you to escape everyday life, forget your problems, and focus solely on yourself, the bow, and the target.
Adolescents face immense pressure from academics, peer relationships, and the beginning of romantic relationships, which bring their own set of challenges.
Additionally, the situation in our country adds to the stress. It saddens me to see teenagers running away from their problems or resorting to harmful habits. This concern is shared by my friends and me: teenagers often don't know how to effectively deal with their problems.
This is why together with Arina, Oleksandr, and Valeriia, I participated in the UNICEF UPSHIFT programme. Our team developed a project that is already being implemented.
We organized five workshops where we taught young people how to shoot a bow and use archery as a means of self-exploration. The activity generated a lot of interest, with participants watching and listening attentively. The young people open up during these sessions, and the competitions allow them to showcase their potential. For instance, during one workshop, a quite shy boy won a competition. His friends were surprised, and he gained confidence in his abilities.
This experience demonstrates that archery can be an effective tool for self-discovery.
