Lifestyle
SINGAPORE — On the first Tuesday of every month, residents at Beo Crescent in Tiong Bahru may possibly well presumably also furthermore be seen shuffling to the void deck of Block 26.
They devise a easy queue, rob a bunch, and patiently wait their turn.
Internal half an hour, they leave with their hair trimmed, hearts stout, and wearing smiles — thanks to Mark Yuen, who’s, extra on the total than no longer, wearing his trademark crimson beret.
Since 2016, the 69-year-passe retired wealth consultant has travelled everywhere in the island to supply free haircuts to the elderly and the needy.
Armed with scissors, shavers and combs, Yuen — dubbed “minute crimson hat” by about a of his “prospects” — gives the provider at numerous locations, along side nursing homes and senior centres, three or four times every week.
He furthermore does home calls for folk which will be bedridden or immobile.
“On the conclude of the haircut, when I seek them smile they usually notify thanks, it rejuvenates me,” he talked about. “Generally, the original haircut lets them actually feel easy and seek younger.”
More than honest a haircut, Yuen’s hairdressing classes are furthermore a approach his elderly patrons can socialise.
“Getting the seniors originate air of their homes and spending time with other residents and volunteers, I hope this is in a position to per chance also simply give them a approach of group care and like…,” talked about Yuen.
“That they’re no longer on my own.”
When The Straits Instances joined one such session in Could possibly well also, the seniors bear been seen arriving on the void deck as early as 8am. Whereas looking ahead to their turn to bear their hair trimmed, some chatted with one one other, or with the six volunteers who bear been there to lend a hand Yuen.
About 50 residents turned up in all, most of whom bear been senior electorate.
Recounting the time he helped a one who had no longer within the reduction of his hair for 13 years, Yuen talked about: “He cherished his haircut and it felt very rewarding. It gave me a definite sense of fulfillment.”
Some may possibly well presumably also simply consider Yuen’s involvement in hairdressing an accomplishment in itself. He picked up the potential in 2016 at 61, an age where some may possibly well presumably also simply be having a seek to place their feet up and expertise retirement.
However he talked about: “After I retired, I needed to be taught something that would allow me to supply assist to the society.”
He took about three months to complete a 150-hour course before taking an exam to turn out to be certified.
The bolt became once no longer with out challenges, talked about Yuen. Self-doubt, assist peril and even project retaining the scissors and declaring his level of interest, bear been challenges the sexagenarian needed to beat.
For the length of his course, he supplied a free haircut for a bedridden elderly and it planted a belief in him to kind a identical free provider for the much less lucky.
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Yuen is no longer on my own in his act of altruism. In 2016, he created a bunch known as Crew MDI — named after the hair salon he became once a trainee at — where volunteers will be a part of him and supply free haircuts for the elderly and these from decrease-profits groups. With a Fb web page and via note-of-mouth, the group has swelled and now has near 100 volunteers.
One of the most modern additions to the group is Ismail Bouaouine, 27, who hails from Morocco and arrived in Singapore most efficient about a month ago.
The hairdresser, who furthermore supplied free haircuts and dinner assist in his home nation, talked about: “I actually feel relish I could possibly well presumably also simply silent make folk actually feel pleased and present them that there may possibly be valid in lifestyles.”
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This article became once first published in The Straits Instances. Permission required for reproduction.
