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Salon and Syrian refugee, a perfect fit

The Creston Refugee Committee and Trinity United Church helped find a new home for Kader Mohamed and his family.

Having fled war torn Syria Mohamed spent six years in an Iraqi -Kurdish refugee camp. He, his wife and four children moved to Creston last summer. 

Shortly after, Megan Simpson was having a tough time filling a barber position at her new salon, Page Boy. Simpson reached out as far as Edmonton, but she could not find anyone with the skill or commitment level she needed. She says she was on the verge of removing the already installed barber station and simply hire another hair stylist rather than offer a modern barber experience.

But luckily, Simpson got a tip from someone on Creston’s refugee committee.

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(image courtesy of Jensen Shields)

“He said to me, you know there is that one barber who moved here from Syria. He’s certified.” Simpson says she wanted to meet him immediately. “I was like, what? Who is this guy? Because I know for a fact that middle eastern training is some of the best barber training in the world.”

Simpson went as far as to buy Mohammed’s tools for day one. Now, after a few weeks of steady walk-ins, he’s been able to support his family. Page Boy staff help him along and with the aid of a phone translator app, he was able to describe his adjustment to his new home.

“Canada’s climate is cold in the winter. But it is warm with its population and people of Creston.”

Mohamed’s English tutoring is being facilitated by the Creston Refugee Committee. Meanwhile, he continues to accept walk-in clients when the barber pole is spinning.

 

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