Local salon staff offer free services to Afghanistan refugees in Qatar

 Volunteer staff from two men’s and ladies salons operating in the local market have provided free haircuts and beauty services to hundreds of Afghan refugees now residing in Qatar.

More than 200 men, women, and children from Afghanistan “experienced a slice of normality” from the initiative by volunteer Mina Atta of Safe Space, a group that supports Afghan refugees.Atta reached out to the Desert Princess Ladies Salon and Barbero Men’s Salon, whose Filipino and European hairdressers, beauty therapists, and barbers readily volunteered to provide services, such as haircuts, threading, and waxing. The initiative was held on September 13 and 14, 2021, with the most recent one on February 15, 2022, as part of the effort “to give back to the community.” Janet Parry, general manager, Desert Princess, said: “This is only a small gesture on our part to help them, and we were so rewarded by the huge smiles and gratitude shown by all.“Some of the women present were still there from our previous visit in September and they were so happy to see us again. Mariam and her son Jalal were overjoyed to see us again and receive haircuts together.” Atta added: “Desert Princess, in collaboration with Barbero, set up a temporary salon/barbershop in the Afghan Evacuee Compound. This wonderful team spent most of the day giving mini makeovers to the residents and all of them left feeling refreshed with a massive smile on their faces. It’s never just a haircut or a brow wax, it gave our Afghan friends a little boost of positivity and self-confidence.“We would like to thank Janet and her team for donating their time and skills to the Afghan community in Qatar. It was a wonderful gesture and the whole community really appreciated it.”