It is more blessed to give than to receive. This virtue is something
we hold dear at the Academy of Hair Design. Over the years we’ve
participated in dozens and dozens of local fundraisers for groups
including Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Young Life,
Boys and Girls Town, and Springfield Public Schools
to name a few.
In November 2010, owners David and Christie Gonzales, traveled on
a vision trip to Rwanda Africa searching out the possibility of the
Academy of Hair Design partnering with Rwandan based
Africa New Life to establish
a non-profit cosmetology school in this recent war torn country.
They found a beautiful country, with beautiful people who
were trying to rebuild their once prosperous lives. What they found
was needed most was not charity but job creation and a means to make
a living. Unemployment is currently at 30%. Interestingly, Rwandans,
like most African countries love their hair and they spend a significant
portion of their disposable income on these services.
The Academy students and staff were overwhelmingly
supportive of this idea. Spring 2011 began with a series of
“Project Africa” planning meetings, fundraisers and was
capped off by a visit from the Founder of Africa New Life,
Charles Mugisha Buregeya. The Dream Academy of Hair
Design is slated to open in the Fall of 2011.
Academy students on the “Project Africa” team will
have the opportunity to travel to the school in
Kigali Rwanda in 2012 and all students who are
interested will be given a Dream Academy pen pal
to foster our sister school relationship. Our plan
is to travel annually to Rwanda with a delegation
of Academy students from the US.
we hold dear at the Academy of Hair Design. Over the years we’ve
participated in dozens and dozens of local fundraisers for groups
including Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Young Life,
Boys and Girls Town, and Springfield Public Schools
to name a few.
In November 2010, owners David and Christie Gonzales, traveled on
a vision trip to Rwanda Africa searching out the possibility of the
Academy of Hair Design partnering with Rwandan based
Africa New Life to establish
a non-profit cosmetology school in this recent war torn country.
They found a beautiful country, with beautiful people who
were trying to rebuild their once prosperous lives. What they found
was needed most was not charity but job creation and a means to make
a living. Unemployment is currently at 30%. Interestingly, Rwandans,
like most African countries love their hair and they spend a significant
portion of their disposable income on these services.
The Academy students and staff were overwhelmingly
supportive of this idea. Spring 2011 began with a series of
“Project Africa” planning meetings, fundraisers and was
capped off by a visit from the Founder of Africa New Life,
Charles Mugisha Buregeya. The Dream Academy of Hair
Design is slated to open in the Fall of 2011.
Academy students on the “Project Africa” team will
have the opportunity to travel to the school in
Kigali Rwanda in 2012 and all students who are
interested will be given a Dream Academy pen pal
to foster our sister school relationship. Our plan
is to travel annually to Rwanda with a delegation
of Academy students from the US.
