Celebration time!

On Monday we celebrated the success of the young women living in Athidiya who have recently completed the 3 month hair and beauty training programme, run by Cheryl of CG Hairdressing and her team.  

It was a lovely occasion at the centre in Athidiya with a welcome speech by Sister Concepta followed by the certificate giving and of course a piece or two of celebratory cake!  Two of the ‘graduates’ also made an impromptu thank you speech and what they said really highlights how successful the training has been.  They talked of how the training had changed their lives for the better and that the support and love that was given to them by the trainers made their confidence increase and realise their self-worth.  They also talked of how they can now see a bright future and realise that there is another way to how they have been living up to now. 

Over half the women who completed the training are looking for a job working in a salon with the help of Cheryl.  Most have been on interviews and some have already secured positions in top salons in Colombo.  The remaining  women are working from home with their new skills. All have already had paying customers!  It will be interesting to speak to the students in the next few months and see how their plans have developed.  Cheryl is also keen to keep in contact with the trainees and support them in the future if they wish.

I think it is no exaggeration when I say that I can see the change in these young people myself.  They are brimming with confidence, have plans for the future and realistic aspirations.  All the women personally thanked Cheryl and her team for the great opportunity and also wanted to pass on their thanks to Asha Trust.  So on behalf of all the women who graduated on Monday thank you to all those who supported this project – you have made a real difference to these women's lives!

Katherine

The women sign to confirm they have received the completion bonus and say a little thank you to Asha!