The "wellness day" as it has been dubbed saw more than 80 homeless and other less fortunate people congregate at a social restaurant in Hollerich where they were treated to a haircut by volunteers.
Maria Cardoso fell on hard times a while back. She slept rough together with her daughter before they were eventually given help and moved into a flat. Crippling depression and anxiety still make it hard for her to immerse herself in everyday life. For her, events such as the "wellness day" are incredibly important.
For about a year now, Cardoso has been working at the at a "Stëmm vun der Strooss" workshop in Esch-sur-Alzette. She credits the association with getting her back on her feet and is incredibly glad that it helped her and continues to help others in similar situations.
Stevie Weber also attended the event and sat in one of the improvised barber shop chairs. He currently receives the guaranteed minimum income and is a regular guest at the social restaurant in Hollerich. Not only is the event free, but it is also a great occasion to see a lot of people you don't get to see that often, Weber stated.
This year's wellness day marked the fourth edition of the event. Alexandra Oxaceley, the director of the Stëmm vun der Strooss association, explained the way in which events like these help people. While the wellness day does not change their clients' circumstances, it does give them an alternative routine and brings them a bit of joy.
The idea for a wellness day first came up more than 10 years ago when the (now retired) hair dresser Jean-Michel Raguet gave homeless and financially vulnerable people free haircuts in his salon.
Since then, the group of volunteers has grown steadily and free haircuts have turned in to a free wellness day with massages and professional make up services for those who want it.
While the wellness day is a one day a year affair, some people such as hairdresser Elena Cartier visit the social restaurant several times per year to give people free haircuts. A simple thank you is payment enough, Elena Cartier said about her volunteer work.
Cartier also stated that it is important not to judge homeless people, because anyone could find themselves in that situation at some point in their life.
