Thanks so much to Estetica for this wonderful piece about Anne’s new project empowering the next generation of hairdressers in Uganda!
“Impassioned texture expert Anne Veck has launched a vital mission to up skill young women in rural Uganda through the gift of hairdressing.
Anne Veck, the award-winning hair artist and renowned texture educationalist, has recently returned from a transformative journey to the village of Namataba, Uganda. Known for her mastery of afro and textured hair, Anne swapped the high-end salons of the UK for a volunteer mission to empower and upskill five enthusiastic young women. The trip was more than just a training session; it was a deeply personal exchange of knowledge and heart. Anne sensed an incredible hunger for learning displayed by her students, describing the experience as a privilege that set her soul on fire. Having arrived in the UK years ago without speaking English, Anne credits hairdressing as the universal skill that allowed her to build a future. Now, she is passionate about sharing that same gift of self-sufficiency to the next generation in Namataba, turning a spark of craft into a sustainable career path.
(For your own hairdressing and upskilling with Anne get in touch!)
A Legacy of Learning at the Kirinya Children’s Centre.
The backdrop for Anne’s mission is a remarkable school built by Helen Margaret Owen, an inspirational British woman who used her life savings to transform a makeshift shelter into a permanent sanctuary of learning. The Helen Margaret Owen Foundation has become a hub for the community, providing education to hundreds of vulnerable children and orphans. Last year, the foundation launched vocational workshops, revealing an extraordinary well of untapped talent among the village’s young women. Anne’s arrival, supported by professional equipment from BaByliss Pro and Olivia Garden, marked the beginning of a formal hairdressing journey for these students. By integrating vocational training into the school’s curriculum, both Anne and the foundation are laying the groundwork for long-term economic independence in a region that once lacked such infrastructure.
The Goal: Raising £5,000 for Year-Round Mentorship
While Anne’s initial visit was transformative, she recognised that consistent mentorship is the key to lasting success. To ensure this isn’t just a one-off event, Anne has also committed to raising £5,000. This modest but impactful amount will fund a locally sourced professional educator to teach at the school every week for an entire year. This strategy not only supports the young women but also invests back into the local Ugandan economy by employing a skilled professional. By establishing a permanent vocational programme, the project aims to create a guaranteed career path for these women, mirroring the independence that hairdressing provided Anne at the start of her own journey. Furthermore, every pound raised will go directly toward providing the consistent guidance these students deserve to master their craft.
Mastering the Art of Giving Back
Anne is a firm believer that true mastery in hairdressing is defined by what you give back to the industry and the wider world. Her time in Uganda was an exercise in “authentic education,” where she spent as much time soaking up local wisdom as she did teaching. This reciprocal exchange has left her more invested than ever in the growth of the Namataba community. “I never tire of the joy of witnessing the potential for a spark of craft to turn into a career,” Anne commented. Her mission serves as a poignant reminder that hairdressing is a universal language – one that can bridge cultural divides and provide a lifeline to those in need. By supporting this cause, the UK hairdressing community has the opportunity to help Anne turn her passion into a permanent legacy for the stylists of tomorrow.”
Thanks again Gary Kelly at Estetica for this lovely feature.
To help Anne reach her goal and support the stylists in Namataba, please visit her fundraising page
