Patience Makwele
A young Windhoek-based hairdresser and founder of Hair by Mulombe, Teressa Mulombe Mupalu, says braiding the hair of 31 children for free before the start of the school term taught her lessons about patience, service and the value of helping others.
Mupalu organised an outreach in January to provide free braiding and haircuts to schoolchildren in Goreangab.
She said she wanted to use her hairdressing skills to support children from disadvantaged households before they returned to school.
She said the experience changed how she views community work after seeing children arrive early in the morning and wait for their turn.
“Seeing children waiting patiently for their turn made me realise how much something as simple as a neat hairstyle means to them,” she said. “It is not just about hair. It is about how they feel walking into a classroom and sitting with their peers.”
Mupalu said many children in low-income communities face challenges with grooming, which can affect their confidence at school.
Braiding 31 children in a limited time also required patience and understanding, she said, especially when working with younger children who became tired or restless during the process.
“You have to talk to them, encourage them and make them comfortable. Some children were very shy, while others were very excited and could not wait to see how their hair looked,” she said.
She said the outreach also reminded her that grooming can play a role in helping children feel confident among their classmates.
“Children want to feel included. When a child feels neat and presentable, it helps them stand firm and participate more freely in school activities,” she said.
Mupalu said the experience strengthened her belief that businesses can also serve communities.
She encouraged young entrepreneurs and skilled workers to use their talents to help others.
“People sometimes think giving back requires a lot of money. That is not always true. You can start with what you have, whether it is a skill, time or small support from friends and family,” she said.
She said the response from the community was encouraging. Volunteers helped organise the children and kept the process moving.
The experience has motivated her to consider arranging similar outreach programs in the future, especially for children from vulnerable households.
“Everyone has something they can offer. The spirit of helping others should not be limited by background or resources,” she said.
Mupalu said the most rewarding part of the initiative was seeing the children leave with confidence as they prepared for the school term.
