Schwarzkopf professional works with sos villages

Schwarzkopf Professional has teamed up with SOS Villages to offer under-privileged youngsters the chance to join the vibrant, creative and exciting world of hairdressing.

There are 132 SOS Villages around the world, helping children who are from disfunctional families, who have suffered from abuse, alcoholism, violence or have been abandoned. 

The children move into the village, where they are housed with a 'mother' and up to ten other children to create a new family living together. The SOS Villages is an alternative to becoming homeless or being placed in an orphanage.

The Schwarzkopf Professional Shaping Futures initiative gives these youngsters the opportunity to learn skills that will enable them to earn their own money and give then a better start in life.

 

Hairdressing volunteers from around the world visit the SOS Villages to teach them hairdressing skills in a 4-6 week course. Some British hairdressers have visited the Indian villages, teaching basic skills. The benefit and impact on the youngsters lives is instant, as the they can then go and earn their own money straight away, cutting and styling hair. 

 

The SOS Village in Latvia houses 60 youngsters. The Shaping Futures initiative teaches youngsters from the age of 15 basic hairdressing skills, giving them a taster of what the industry is about. For those that want to continue, Shaping Futures helps secure places on college courses and introduces them to salon owners for potential employment, as well as supplying kit bags, tools and equipment.

 

Anna Zarane is one of the children who has taken part in the initiative. Now, aged 21, she has finished a three-year course in hairdressing and is looking for employment. "Shaping Futures gave me an idea of what opportunities hairdressers can have. I was already interested in hair and styling, but spending time with experienced hairdressers made me realise I could become one of them" she said.