Denman Philippine, Hair Aid hold haircutting community event

DENMAN, the renowned leader in hairbrushes, and Hair Aid, a nonprofit organization, headed to Barangay Nagkaisang Nayon in Novaliches, one of Quezon City’s partner communities for livelihood programs.

Early January, Denman Philippines Ambassadors Lourd Ramos and Anton Papa, along with a handful of Hair Aid volunteers, headed by Lisa Polini, lent their expertise in a week-long workshop aimed to teach participants about the proper tools and techniques in cutting hair. More than 25 participants gathered at the basketball court of Brgy. Nagkaisang-Nayon for the program, which offered unemployed men and women the opportunity to learn new skills for livelihood.

Hair Aid, established in 2010, has been offering its services in Metro Manila and has been working with Denman Philippines for the past three years. Since its inception, Hair Aid has helped over 2,300 individuals in Quezon City, and in its recent tour, aims to train 210 more.

Selina Tomasich, Hair Aid founder, shared: “With Hair Aid, we want to go beyond mere charity and dole outs. We want to empower men and women by providing them the skills for livelihood. We started teaching hair cutting classes here because it’s a muchneeded service that can be learned, and everyone needs a haircut.”

Twice a year, Hair Aid heads to Manila to train Filipinos as their local barangay. In addition to the Philippines, Hair Aid also hosts programs in Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia, and soon Vietnam. To date, through the help of Hair Aid Sweden, Hair Aid UK, Hair Aid New Zealand and Hair Aid Australia, they’ve been able to train an estimated 1,400 individauls a year, and Tomasich hopes to hit 3000 a year by 2020.

“We love coming back here to the Philippines, because it’s very fulfilling. We’re here because we want to help and we want to give women and other Filipinos the chance to lead dignified lives where they are able to provide for their families and themselves,” Ms. Tomasich added. “As a mother, I understand their fears and want to give them the opportunity to thrive and succeed.”

Ms. Tomasich and Hair Aid volunteers offer their time and expertise for free, even raising their own money and airfare so that they may share their gifts. Lisa Polini, one such volunteer, flew all the way from Australia to be one of the 20 stylist teachers at this workshop.

The multi-awarded trainer and hair dresser has made several trips to Manila, and with each trip, she’s becomes even more inspired and driven. “It’s all about giving back and making a difference. Hair dressing may start out as a hobby or as a curiosity, but it can be a fulfilling livelihood.” Along with her at the training workshop were Denman Philippine Ambassadors Anton Papa and Lourd Ramos and the Denman Philippines team.