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Diana Carson and Laura-Leigh Kerr from Glasgow have been chosen by global haircare brand, Schwarzkopf Professional to join their 2019 charity initiative, Shaping Futures, supported by the Fritz Henkel Stiftung, to Shape the Futures of disadvantaged youngsters in the Philippines.
Diana and Laura-Leigh who both work at Rainbow Room International will join other UK hairdressers as they travel to the Philippines in April as part of the Shaping Futures team.
The group will spend a total of six weeks teaching the disadvantaged youths, the essential skills of hairdressing; from cutting, colouring and perming through to styling. Each pair of volunteers will spend two weeks teaching, before handing over to the next volunteers. Following the six-week course (15th April – 24th May), the students will be offered further training or employment opportunities with local salon group, David’s Salons.
Commenting on the opportunity, Diana Carson, Consultant Designer at Rainbow Room International in Uddingston said: "I have a passion for educating I want to make a difference to people’s lives, this initiative means I have the opportunity to do just that. I know the young people we are going to teach have all experienced extreme hardships before reaching the SOS Children’s Village, this opportunity will mean a great deal to them. I feel this will be a life-changing experience for all of us.”
Shaping Futures has been running since 2009, and this year marks its 10th Anniversary. In that time UK volunteers have helped over 300 young people learn the skills of hairdressing. This is the second time the UK team will visit the Philippines, following many successful years partnering with SOS Children’s Villages in India. Every young person who takes part in Shaping Futures has experienced trauma and poverty; but thanks to this initiative they are given the skills to build a new, safe life for themselves.
Laura-Leigh Kerr who is the Director of Training for Rainbow Room International said, “I have been lucky enough to have worked in the hairdressing industry for over 20 years and have trained nearly 1000 students. I am very excited to be heading to the Philippines to be able to give something back. This is a fantastic opportunity and I can’t wait to help these young people access to what has given me an amazing career.”
Diana and Laura-Leigh will travel to the Philippines for the 29th April – 10th May and will be fundraising over the next few months to hit their personal target of £3000 for Shaping Futures and offer young people a chance of a new life.