Sina Lustig

Before I started my studies as a social worker in Ludwigsburg, Germany I worked for many years in my mother’s hair salon. After finishing school, I was not sure yet what to do or study so I decided to make the apprenticeship as a hair dresser until I know where my way goes. .

I have always enjoyed to help people feel them better about them self. It is not easy nowadays to feel good about yourself since our society gives the image that one is not good enough and not perfect enough. There is a lot of pressure on the appearance of oneself which results often in a lack of self confidence and self love.

That’s why I decided to study social services. In my future work I hope to help people to a better live and more satisfaction about oneself. I personally think the love for yourself is the key to a better and happier life.

The Project

More than just a haircut -
One step to more dignity for homeless

13.03.2017 – 29.04.2017

How does a new haircut effect identity and dignity of homeless people?

To answer this question, I started the project during the seven-week internship in my semester abroad. I offered free haircuts at Hirundo Day Centre in Helsinki, Finland. Unregistered migrants, most of them are from Rumania or Bulgaria visit the Centre to use free services such as showers, laundry, donated cloth, heating of food, coffee / tea and internet. Moreover, they provide individual support and advice, including access to health and social services. However, there is no access to hairdressing possibilities yet.

The Context

In my opinion cutting hair means more than just having a new hair cut. It is about relaxing, communication, taking care of someone and make people feel better about themselves. Everyone knows how much better you feel and more self-reliant you are when you feel comfortable in your look and your appearance. That’s why I think it makes a big difference if one is helping people to have a nice and neat appearance.
Especially homeless face a lot of prejudice and discrimination. Looking like a “scruffy and bedraggled homeless” puts them already in a box and disrespectful insults like disgusting, stinker, alcoholic, lazy are results. However, homeless people don’t have possibilities for daily personal hygiene and well tended appearance. Living on the streets often means living without dignity and identity.

The Vision

During my project I want to take one step closer to a live with dignity and self-confidence.

Taking care of them implies the gesture that they are worth something which might help them to feel better about themselves.

Listening to them could show that one is interested in what they feel, think and say.

Enjoining how someone takes care of them gives them the possibility to relax and even start have other thoughts.

Experiencing a physical intimate service which makes them good looking might help not to feel rubbishy, nasty and worthless.

I hope to help them facing the daily discrimination and prejudice with more self-confidence.