By Kath Gannaway
A Yarra Junction hair stylist will leave for the Philippines in January to pass on skills that have the potential to make a world of difference to poverty-stricken people in Manila.
Danii Cameron, 24, will join other stylists as part of Hair Aid, an Australian not-for-profit organisation that sends teams of hairdressers to impoverished areas to work directly with people in need, teaching them hair cutting skills.
The skills they gain allow them to earn money to feed, clothe and house themselves and their children.
Danii, who has been working in the industry for 10 years, currently works at Altitude Hair Studio in Yarra Junction.
The challenge will be passing on cutting skills that took her 12 months of her three years of training to master.
“A lot of big names in the industry, including the people who teach us, will be part of the team, so I expect I will have good support to be able to meet that challenge,” Danii said.
A last-minute opening in the team which leaves on 7 January has given her the opportunity to be part of a project, she says, will definitely put her out of her comfort zone, but which she feels is about giving back.
“I’ve heard of heartbreaking situations in Manila, and think I will struggle with that but I would like to do something to give back; and I’m happy to be able to do something to help … as hard as that may be,” she said.
“I think it’s important to be grateful and to realise how lucky we are to live our lives the way we do and have the opportunities that so many don’t have.”
Danii said the team at Altitude were backing her with a raffle and a ‘go-fund-me’ campaign on the Altitude Hair Studio Facebook page aimed at raising the $3000 needed to take part. Link https://www.gofundme.com/manilaprojectdaniicameron.
“I expect I will be paying the bulk of that, but anything people can contribute will be very gratefully received,” she said.
Anyone who would like to help Danii on her quest to help others can contact her at Altitude on 5967 1550.
