Many of our girls, come to school with their hair done in braids and twists. They have beautiful ribbons and bows neatly placed into them. The ribbons always match their uniform, which is grey, yellow, and white. The children's uniforms are always clean and tucked in.
While visiting the school last January, I commented on how pretty one girls hair was. It was parted throughout her head, and each part was wrapped in a ribbon. Her friend standing next to her, Laika, agreed. She then told me that she wished her hair was beautiful too. Laika had her hair up, wrapped in a string. There was nothing ugly about it, like she claimed. It was just less done up that her friend's.
Later that day I headed over with the director of the school, David, and some of our students to the local "Walmart"(called LaSirena).We were there to fit children with new school shoes. As I was getting socks for them, I noticed a shelf full of hair supplies. I thought about Laika, and decided to pick her up a simple yellow headband, with a bow on it.
When David asked who it was for, I told him it was for Laika and how she was upset that her hair was not done as nicely as her friend's. We got into a discussion about the children's appearances. How they wear their hair, is almost always a sign of how they are being treated at home. He said that it was very easy for him, and other Haitians and Dominicans to spot children who are not being properly cared for. These children may be restaveks (servants), or living in a home or on the streets without parents or caring family members.
Despite poverty and hardships, mothers take pride and put effort into making sure their children look clean and cared for. I have seen this countless times at our school. Children can live in cardboard and metal shacks, but come to school in a clean uniform.
Children who are restaveks have no one to care for them in this way. They do not have a loving mother to do their hair or wash their uniform.
Something as simple as a bow, can truly make a girl feel special, and less of an "outcast". I have began to make some, but I need your help!
If you are crafter, and would like to make our girls some hair bows and ribbons we would be happy to deliver them to our students.
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| Some of my bows! |
Here are some great Youtube tutorials:
How To Make A Loopy Puff Ribbon
How To Make A Layered Flower Bow
How To Make A Pinwheel Hair bow
The ones I have made have been very simple, requiring only ribbon and glue (hot glue). Despite being simple, they have turned out to be very pretty!
If you want to jump on board and help us make some bows, it would be great to make either 2 or 4 in one style. That way, all of our girls can get a matching set.
Not a big crafter, but still want to help with with project? Headbands, elastics, bobbles( yellow, grey and white) would be greatly appreciated!
** Bows received before August 10th will be given to our students on their first day of school!**
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