KUALA LUMPUR: Mohd Haikal Azman, who first started using his hair cutting skills on his family members, never expected that extending this service to the homeless would be a memorable and rewarding experience.
Although he was nervous when he first met the group, the 22-year-old student of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) said the feelings of anxiety disappeared when the homeless expressed their unceasing appreciation.
Mohd Haikal said there was a deep sense of satisfaction for him and his friends at being able to provide free haircuts to the group who were often looked down on due to their appearance.
“At first, I was a bit worried that they would not be pleased with the end result, instead they were overjoyed and appreciated our small contributions. I was touched when they said ‘thank you’,” the Financial Economics student told Bernama.
Mohd Haikal is one of the 40 participants of a community service programme for the homeless that offers free haircuts and medical check-ups.
The programme also distributes old clothes and organises mental health workshops for the group.
The initiative is part of the “Jom Raya Bersama Komuniti Bandar Kuala Lumpur” programme organised by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall.
It took place at the Medan Tuanku Homeless Service Centre here on Saturday night.
The event was also attended by Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias and more than 200 city folks.
The project director of the programme, Siti Fairuz Rohaliza Ejahar, said the participants also had the opportunity to better understand the challenges faced by the community.
Jalaluddin expressed his pride over the involvement of youths in helping the homeless in the city.
He also hoped that more parties would come forward to help by providing donations and assistance including social and psychological support.