LOCAL hairdresser Natalie Hazelden is raising money to fund her opportunity to train those in critical poverty with the Hair Aid team going to The Philippines in January 2023. This is her third overseas project – she has been project team leader on trips to Indonesia in 2018 and 2019. Covid put a stop to her plans for 2020 but now with borders open, the need and demand to learn new skills is high.
Natalie, who runs a boutique home salon in Landsborough, also donates her time and skills to support local homeless and community cuts on the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.
Hair Aid works with the poorest community members to teach them livelihood skills overseas so they can earn money to feed, clothe and house themselves and their children. The team will teach five different haircuts, so participants can begin their own micro business and earn a living with hairdressing skills.
The locations can be safe houses for women and children or they can also be churches and schools or community hubs.
Hair aid works closely with Destiny Rescue Australia, a well known organisation that rescues and restores underage children trapped in prostitution or sexual exploitation.
“This fantastic cause is so close to my heart, as we will be delivering the training personally, directly to the people in need and giving them the gift of our hair knowledge, teaching them and further generations,” said Natalie. “The old saying ‘give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day…Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime’ resonates with what we are doing.”
Natalie is holding a few events in September to support Hair Aid and to fund for herself to help, including donating every haircut on September 7 as part of a global Cut’a’thon. She is also holding a fundraising lunch on Saturday, September 10. To find out more, visit Natalie’s Facebook page: Natalie Hazelden Hairdressing, or 0408 743 689.