Chawa’s empowering young women

by J. Soso-Vincent 30.MAY.08

Cosmetology holds a poor professional image. It is too often portrayed as an industry that requires little training, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. In actuality, cosmetology is a billion dollar world industry, and requires meticulous training if one wants to be reputable and successful. Chawa Primus, manager and proprietor of Chawa’s New Millennium Beauty Salon & School of Cosmetology, is intent on equipping those who have a passion for it with cosmetology skills.{{more}} Not only for the financial rewards, but also to boost self-image and “…empowering them to become entrepreneurs and productive, independent women, who could become role models to the youth…” Twelve young women got one step closer to this goal, when they graduated from Chawa’s School of Cosmetology on Sunday, May 25th.

The graduates received certificates in Cosmetology after completing a course in Theory & Practice, which included the modules of: Professional Image, Bacteriology, Properties of the hair & scalp, Draping, Shampooing & Conditioning, Wet hair Styling, Permanent Waving, Hair Colouring, Hair Cutting and Manicuring & Pedicuring. Glen Dawson, Primus’ mentor, who conducts Cosmetology training in Trinidad, presented the graduates with their certificates. The proud graduates are Ronelle Ballantyne, Dana Bowens, Shenica Horne, Ancia Lockhart, Kendra Rock, Julie Rogers, Juliana Charles, Nianza Fergus, Janis Griffith, Stacey Little, Alisia Mofford and Inca Scott.

Primus holds a plethora of diplomas in Hair Colouring & Cutting, Manicuring, Pedicuring and general Cosmetology. Her school has been in existence for 2 years and, thus far, produced 28 graduates. Chawa’s School of Cosmetology is affiliated with Susan’s Unisex Salon & School, in Trinidad, which also has a branch in California.

Despite being proud of her all-female graduates, Chawa admits that she would have liked to see a few men in there as well. “SVG is probably the only place in the Caribbean where men aren’t really involved in the hair and beauty industry,” she mused. She confirmed that a few men had shown interest in the programme but claimed they couldn’t participate due to lack of time. However, she suspects that it’s more to do with the stigma (of homosexuality) that’s attached with men involved in the industry.