In separate acts of kindness, Doha College discovered three of its primary school girls recently and willingly parted with their hair in order to help children less fortunate than themselves.
Amy, Naisha and Lara decided that even though they were only young, they could make a big difference in the life of others. All three girls independently sent their braids; grown for most of their lives, to three charities that provide wigs for children who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment or other illnesses.
Naisha Faith Katkar (Year 2), donated her hair to the Madat Trust, part of TATA Memorial Cancer Hospital in Mumbai, India, following a conversation with her mother about how each one of us, no matter what age, could help someone. Naisha’s mum Nidhi took the opportunity to introduce the topic of cancer and how people struggle to fight it. The kind-hearted student asked if there was anything she could do to make those with the illness smile, and the idea of hair donation came about. She went ahead with the brave act on her seventh birthday and sent her locks off to India.
Also after a discussion with her mother, it turned out that Amy Austwick (Year 3) and her brother thought that cancer was an illness that only affected the older people. Following the revelation that it can impact any age, Amy asked if there was anything she could do, and a few days later she decided to make a donation. Her hair went to the Little Princess Trust in the UK, which provides real hair wigs free of charge to children and young adults up to the age of 24.
Lara Ionascu (Year 5) took the move to have her hair cut and donated it to the Rapunzel Foundation, a charitable organisation from Ireland that works to improve the lives of those living with hair loss through fund-raising as well as hair-raising. She said that the donation not only benefits the receiver, but also provides the giver with an understanding of the needs of others. She has already pledged to donate her hair again as soon as it grows back to the required length.
The girls’ gesture comes from a background of empathic upbringing, a mind-set nurtured at the school. Doha College has been involved in charitable drives for many years, and recognises charitable acts of its students at its annual awards ceremony every May. This academic year, the charity committee extended its remit to involve the primary school, and works tirelessly on fund-raising events such as quizzes, trips, sales and many more. This year, two charities benefiting from the efforts of the school – enthusiastically led by primary teacher Jonathan Kuttschreuter – are the 2nd Chance Rescue Centre and Building Schools Abroad Scheme.
Lara, Class-V student, shows her braids and Naisha, Class-II student, is seen after haircut.
