Wella-unicef making waves heads to romania

The Wella-Unicef Making Waves programme recently headed to Romania to bring life skills and hairdressing training to vulnerable young people in the poorest communities. Education has been at the heart of Wella's ethos for over 100 years and since 2010, this has extended to building the hairdressing community in emerging countries, providing disadvantaged people with a life-changing vocational education. More than 18,000 young people have so far realized their potential with the programme in Romania and Brazil. This year nine mentors, including Melanie Jennings from Peter Prosser Hairdressing in Herefordshire and Emma Roche from Anna Furlong Hairdressing in County Wicklow, headed to Piatra Neamț in Romania for the two-week programme. Also giving up their time for the cause were Vicente Moya and Patricia Martinez from Spain, Morena Santini and Giorgio Cristaldi from Italy, Andrea Moxey from Australia, Shar Sutherland Todd from New Zealand and Alain Leen from Luxembourg. Drawing on their vast experience and craftsmanship, the hairdressers led 20 local students through a comprehensive curriculum of hairdressing techniques, including cuts, colouring and styling. "I think something I am really going to take home with me is how key education is," said Melanie. "Some of these children might not have a lot, but now the opportunities they will have is just amazing. Making Waves offers them hope and knowledge and it’s a great honour for me to be here – amazing does't even begin to cover it." Interested in taking part in Making Waves? Follow them on Facebook or visit www.wella.com