The Story of Three Ladies Who Took Mission Possible's Hairdressing Course
"Now I Feel Important – Just Like Other People!"
Katya's father died when she was three years old. Her mother remarried, and her new husband had three sons. Katya and her sister then received very little attention and did not attend school.
"I got married when I was sixteen and had two children. I was illiterate and worried that I couldn't gain employment because of that. I would have liked to study, but my husband thought it unnecessary and said we couldn't afford it anyway."
Katya's story is not unusual. Although there is general compulsory education in Bulgaria, many Roma children do not attend school. Girls, in particular, are in a difficult position since marrying very young is common. It is believed that the sooner a girl marries, the more attached she becomes to her husband and the more obedient she will be to her mother-in-law, who instructs her on being a good housewife.
Katya heard about our hairdressing course and applied.
"It was a chance for me to get a proper profession!"
She prayed earnestly for a week before telling her husband.
"God heard! My husband let me take the course! I was so thrilled about new possibilities for the future. I am now certified, and I feel significant – like other people!
"I thank God and thank you for giving me this opportunity!"
"My joy is immense! No longer will my children be embarrassed when they are asked at school what their mother does."
Kalina opened her little hairdressing salon.
"Some other girls in the church took the hairdressing course and urged me to join them to receive professional training. At first, I was hesitant because I had no experience in cutting or styling. I was afraid I would ruin someone's hair!"
"Nevertheless, I took the course. Once classes began, I became very interested in the skills being taught and received good grades. To my great surprise, people were happy with the hairstyles I did!"
"The training was very useful for me. It gave me the ability to earn a living. Thank you to the great teachers and Mission Possible for making this course possible!"
Kalina's family runs a small clothing and textile shop. Behind a partition wall at the back of the store, Kalina has set up her own hair salon.
"Through my work, I can bring happiness to people and help them improve their self-esteem. At the salon, people relax, like talking and opening their hearts. This has given me opportunities to share my faith. 'God is hope. He will help you when you turn to Him,' I tell them.
"I want to develop my skills so I can fulfill my customers' requests. I watch videos and read articles about hairdressing. Some girls from the course and I have talked about opening a salon together."
Evangelism through hairdressing
Our MP team organized a new evangelistic outreach in a
village with no church and no hair salon. Kalina took part. We set up a large tent in the marketplace and invited residents to free haircuts. While haircuts were given, the hairdressers talked to customers and shared their faith through personal testimonies. Happy people came out of the tent!
Tsveta took a theory and practical exam along with others. "I am grateful the Lord put it on the hearts of my brothers and sisters to organize this course. Now I can earn a living for my family."
We organize vocational courses in cooperation with local churches. Part of the teaching, the exams, and the awarding of completion certificates takes place in the house of prayer. This sends a message to the church that education is important.
