Feature: Turkish hairdresser makes hairless kids' dreams come true-Xinhua

Feature: Turkish hairdresser makes hairless kids' dreams come true

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia

2022-07-01 20:21:57

by Burak Akinci

ANKARA, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Yasin Kirazli, a 29-year-old Turkish hairdresser from the capital city Ankara, is making wigs for kids suffering from hair loss, turning a passion into a mission of good by building their self-esteem.

Hair loss due to illness, whether it be cancer, alopecia, or something else is devastating for adults and even more so for children.

Melek Su, a 6-year-old little girl, who suffers from severe alopecia, has always dreamed of having long locks of hair just like other girls. So when she appeared in front of her parents wearing a realistic wig, they were overwhelmed with joy and gratefulness.

The charitable initiative has given the shy girl a much-needed confidence boost.

She never had hair and was the subject of ridicule from other kids and sometimes their parents. But this is going to change all thanks to Kirazli, who made her a long-lasting and made-to-measure wig from donated hair.

In the past seven years, he made around 180 wigs for children in need; there are more to come.

"I started this project to give these children some hope. I wish no children suffered from this. I want them to go out freely without feeling shame," Kirazli said.

His deed attracts a lot of attention through social media. The hairdresser said that many children text him waiting for wigs and that's how Hasan Yildirim, Melek Su's father, contacted him, pleading for help.

"I am very happy. For the past six years, we've been going from one hospital to the other to have a full diagnosis for my child. This wig in itself is a sign of hope for our family," he said with tears in his eyes following the fitting of her daughter's wig.

"I would like to thank Yasin from the bottom of my heart, Melek Su is now totally different." the father said gratefully.

The mother of Melek Su also said the wig breathed hope and energy in her again.

"Melek Su is very excited about this," she noted, recalling how her daughter was looked at "differently" in public.

In an affectionate sign of solidarity with her daughter, the mother said she cut her hair several times for Melek Su to feel comfortable.

A natural hair wig is not cheap and can cost up to 10,000 liras (about 600 U.S. dollars), not something that parents who often deal with serious hospital bills can afford. But Kirazli gives his wigs for free although it takes days for him to finish one.

"I do the wigs entirely free of charge because the parents have already a heavy financial burden as sometimes they have to sell all their belongings for the treatment of their children," the hairdresser added.