José Manuel could not brush it off.
As the recent high school grad listened to a vocational guidance workshop the thought of becoming a barber started to grow on him.
This is precisely what the Cañete sponsor site staff hoped would happen. They had designed the workshop to help guide sponsored high school students and new grads towards options of professions, trades, and/or religious studies.
When he graduated from high school, José Manuel had been nervous about what was next. Like many young adults, he found it challenging to choose a career path. He knew it was a pivotal time in his life, and he didn’t want to make the wrong choice.
“When I finished high school, I had many doubts,” he says, “and I was not sure which path to follow or what was the best option for my future.”
At the workshop, José Manuel’s eyes opened to the possibility of developing his favourite hobby into his career.
To help reduce the students’ stress and uncertainty, the workshop helps them clarify what may be the best fit for them. “Thanks to the participation in the vocational orientation workshop,” José Manuel says, “I realized that my vocation was to be a barber.”
Following his heart, he enrolled in a barbershop academy.
José Manuel felt very passionate about styling hair, he learned to make new cuts and designs at his clients’ requests. He does things a little differently than a regular barber, he takes an artistic approach and creates a unique way to express personality through hair. He knew he made the right career choice, and he was becoming incredibly skilled already.
When he finished his training, José Manuel felt a strong tug to ‘give back’ to the Cañete community. He was inspired by his sponsor’s generosity and the sense of community solidarity that undergirds his sponsor site.
“In collaboration with my fellow barbers,” he says, “we made free cuts and helped those most in need with some food. We also had the opportunity to cut the hair of some of the elderly in the Santa Ana soup kitchen, who left happy showing their new look.”
He left the community filled with joy; everyone was impressed with their new do’s. His gratitude will continue to spread to others. Sponsorship has an everlasting effect on children, José Manuel is a perfect example of paying it forward.
José Manuel is confident that if he applies himself prudently to his business, he will soon be able to open his own barbershop. “I feel very happy for the choice of this beautiful and humble trade.”
Sponsorship enables children to attend class every day and have the supplies they need to complete their education, grow up healthy, and achieve their dreams.
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