Young barbers from Holguín offer free haircuts and hope to those affected by Hurricane Melissa

A group of young barbers from Holguín took their talent and solidarity to the shelters for evacuees following Hurricane Melissa, providing free haircuts and words of encouragement.

The Genesis Barber's venture, based in Holguín, spearheaded a charitable initiative to support individuals affected by Hurricane Melissa, which struck the eastern region of Cuba, reported the official newspaper Ahora.

In the aftermath of the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, a group of young barbers from Holguín decided to lift the spirits of the affected residents by offering free haircuts and messages of solidarity.

The Genesis Barber's venture, located in the city of Holguín, took its work beyond the salon and turned it into a gesture of community support.

Its members visited several evacuation shelters to provide barbering services to those who lost almost everything after the cyclone, combining their skills with a rare display of human empathy in times of crisis.

According to Ahora, the young barbers —who are part of a modern barbering course— first went to the Pedro Díaz Coello Sports Initiation School (EIDE), where they cut the hair of dozens of evacuees and shared words of encouragement.

Three days later, they repeated the action at the Vocational Pre-University Institute of Exact Sciences in Holguín, where they assisted 59 people, including the elderly, children, and women. There, amidst razors and smiles, they turned despair into a moment of relief and hope.

"It was a huge blessing to be able to serve with our talent and provide unconditional support, so they know they are not alone and that the people are with them," said Adán Bernardo Pupo, project leader.

The initiative by Génesis Barber's highlights the ability of young Cuban entrepreneurs to act from a sense of solidarity, in a context marked by material shortages and the slow recovery process following the hurricane.

With their scissors, these barbers provided more than just a service: they gifted a gesture of dignity and comfort to those who needed it most.

Community actions have emerged to alleviate the crisis. Young barbers from Holguín undertook several support initiatives as part of the Génesis Barber’s project, which had already previously demonstrated a commitment to solidarity with vulnerable sectors.

This time, its members visited evacuation centers and offered free services as a gesture of dignity towards those who have lost everything. They have not been the only ones: other groups of barbers have also mobilized to assist evacuees in critical situations.