A beauty course set to equip the unemployed youth with skills that will later bring in an income.
Dr. Anton van Niekerk, a registered Natural Health Practitioner (NHP), a BCom Industrial Psychology graduate and an internationally qualified beauty therapist, and Counsellor Annetjie du Toit (62) have been offering their services on a voluntary basis to the students.
The skills-based program is offered at the Brixton Recreation Centre which started about five-years-ago by the late Dr. Aleit Pretorius (NHP). It is a project of transformation and development at the centre.
The main aim of the programme is to help the youth of the area who are unable to find work in the current economic crisis and to help them empower themselves.
Du Toit is there to assist the students with issues they may be facing at home. She provides counselling and any other care that they may require.
The students of the course have the opportunity to learn health and safety, manicure, pedicure, waxing, basics of skin care and facials.
Most short courses run from two to three months, or until the learners have completed the various case studies.
At the moment, the programme is running with its third class now with all the students in their first year. The classes started off with 14 girls and one man but now has only seven students.
In their second year, the students will have to pay for each assessment because the course gets more intense.
They will do nail technology, threading, cauterisation, natural body massage, hot stone therapy, aromatherapy, Indian head massage and reflexology, just to name a few.
After the students have passed their assessments, they are able to bring in clients to make an income.
The girls in the class come from Riverlea, Florida, Coronationville, Eldorado Park, and Randfontein.
Melissa George (31), a client from Corrie who needed four facial treatments, said that she liked the fact that they used herbal products.
“It was nice, I enjoyed the music and Shannon was very gentle, it was relaxing. My face feels nice and looks nice. I’d like to see the end result”.
“I’ve gained a lot. I’ve learned how to do pedicure and manicure, message, and I’ve learned how to treat people because we meet different kinds of people with different characters.
“To be honest, my favourite section is facial treatment, more than anything. The part that I hated was waxing, I hate it so much,” said Glory Mogodi (21), a first-year student from Randfontein.
“The courses have been running on a one on one of basis, depending on funding mainly for student kits which is one of our biggest challenges we face.
“Up till two years ago, we have received funding from Social Development, Enviroparks and a few donors but nothing recently, which makes it very difficult to continue running the courses. So any assistance would be appreciated,” said van Niekerk.
If you would like to contribute to the program by means of donations please email Dr. Anton van Niekerk antonvn112@gmail.com
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