Displaced from her homeland, the safety of her home, and her husband’s warm embrace, Douaa Hammoud, a Syrian 23-year-old widow, had no option but to flee along with her 4 children and family, to the nearest resort; Lebanon. “War tore down our desire to live; our hopes way before it brought down our homes,” Douaa said. “It killed everyone, our inner selves if not bodies,” she added. The decision of leaving everything behind was the last bitter pill to swallow. Her husband was a victim of a bomb explosion while getting what’s manageable to feed four starving mouths. Her parents are old and unable to financially support her and her 5 sisters. The only available source of income is a brother who left abroad. Thus, being left with no other choice, they all left together and resided in Lebanon.
Douaa has previously taken a hairdressing trainin
Douaa Hammoud, 23 years old
g session, and she has worked hard to share her miniscule knowledge with her sisters so that by working together at home, they can provide the entire family with a decent living.
Douaa heard of an assessment being done to initiate the program “Learning and Skills Programs for Syrian Refugees and Lebanese Youth” conducted by the Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (LOST) in partnership with UNICEF, in Ersal. She was really excited to join the training program after she knew she had the chance to improve her skills and gain new experience in hairdressing.
She started attending classes and passing on her expertise to her sisters, while her children, whose ages range between 2 and 9, stayed with her parents at home. Soon, they were hairdressing many young ladies in the neighborhood. News spread, and they started to have regular customers. Simultaneously, Douaa was keeping a record of all the work she was doing.
Almost a week ago, a young lady, named Sharifa Allouli, heard about Douaa’s work by word of mouth, so she decided to make her a visit and see for herself. What Douaa didn’t know was the fact that Sharifa was a bride-to-be.
When Sharifa first explained that she wanted Douaa to style her hair for her wedding, the latter was thrilled and amazed. After a while, she came to notice the importance of such an event to promote her work, especially that she has done so many hairstyling types and learned new cutting and coloring techniques during the Vocational Orientation classes. Douaa said, “Sharifa hesitated when she first came to our house as she thought that styling her hair at a famous professional center was more expected for such a one-time life event.” She added, “But when she saw some photos of what I have done earlier and tested my abilities, all her hesitation faded away.”
Sharifa looked outstanding, and she was very pleased with her hairstyle. At the same time, Douaa was proud of her accomplishment. During the interview with Douaa, she stated that her work has improved and that she has mended a dream she once had- opening her own hairstyling salon so that she can fulfill her ambition and support her family.
This is what UNICEF and LOST seek and work together for; reviving dreams and giving deprived youth second chances for better lives, consequently a better future for all.
