“It's a win-win situation”: apprentice hairdressers get a free haircut and collect the hair for Pink October in Montpellier
|Les élèves de Jules-Ferry s’affairent dans les locaux de Mermoz pour cette coupe solidaire. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART
Des élèves s’exercent en coiffure, les volontaires se font coiffer gratuitement et les cheveux récupérés sont confiés à des associations pour servir aux malades atteints de cancer.
Last year, the initiative was already praised by Emmanuel Macron himself. So of course it was repeated this year. The 2nd edition of the Solidarity Cup organized by Greta in the Mermoz high school as part of Pink October is always full of appointments. It must be said that the operation allows people to combine business with pleasure.
A haircut for hair
The principle is simple: CAP and BP hairdressing students cut the volunteers' hair for free. The locks will then be sorted by size and condition: natural, colored or bleached hair. Lengths over 10 cm will be donated to the Fake Hair don't Care association, which will make quality wigs at a lower cost to help people with cancer.
For those under 10 cm, Greta has found the solution. The offcuts will be collected by the Coiffeurs Justes association, which designs ecological buoys made from hair to make anti-marine pollution tubes, particularly in the event of an oil spill.
Around thirty apprentice hairdressers studying at the Jules-Ferry high school agreed to devote time, over two afternoons, to styling the hair of the staff at the Mermoz high school and any students who wanted to do so.
Students can practice and volunteers get a free haircut Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART
A lot of registrants including men
“It's win-win”. Souraya, administrative manager of Greta is won over: "It's a great initiative, it's a unifying project with incredible involvement from the students."
Same enthusiasm from Joëlle Jaeck, the director of Greta: “Last year it had valued the students. This project is part of an approach to education in citizenship and it allows to highlight the work of the students and it raises their awareness.”
Some even omitted a visit to the hairdresser for the occasion. And especially the men. Like Joachim who let his hair grow out on purpose for months. The IT technician at the establishment with a ponytail about twenty centimeters long explains with humor by listing all the disadvantages of wearing long hair:“I came last year. The process touched me. So I didn't go to the hairdresser anymore. I'm lucky to have hair that grows well so it will benefit someone.”
Naël, a student in preparatory classes, has shorter hair, but is also taking part in the operation. “I thought it could be useful and if the haircut is messed up, it will grow back.”
Both men and women took part in the operation. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART
As for the apprentice hairdressers, they are enthusiastic. Shany is in BP, but she is delighted by this initiative. "I had already really enjoyed participating last year. The cause is close to my heart and it allows us to practice on real people."
Léa and Momabarak in CAP came to lend a hand to the BP that day. "The event is well thought out." And Léa clarifies: “In the salon where I work, we also keep the hair for this association”.