When he heard we were looking for a volunteer barber, Abubakr, one of Dignity’s newest members, offered his services. After a trial run, which he passed with flying colours under the watchful eye of our previous barber, Yves, we were happy to take him on. “I was a bit nervous,” admits Abubakr, “as it’s six years since I cut anyone’s hair.” His childhood friend with whom he arrived in Cyprus, and with whom he is sharing accommodation, agreed to be his model, and pronounced himself completely satisfied with the result, as did Yves.
The news that the Cyprus Dignity Centre‘s barbershop is to open again on Thursdays had spread rapidly through the refugee grapevine in Nicosia, and even before the Centre opened, several of Abubakr’s compatriots were already waiting outside. When you’ve been on the move for weeks or months, living in hugely difficult conditions, with none of life’s comforts or certainties, getting a good haircut can do much to lift morale. Especially when it’s free. Abubakr spent his first full day with us cutting several people’s hair, taking time and immense trouble with each one. Asked to rate his skill on a scale of 1 to ten — one being the lowest ranking and ten the highest — one satisfied customer replied without hesitation, “eleven”…
It was a day of laughter and song, with customers singing along to the music blaring from Abubakr’s phone. He refused to take a break, and accepted only coffee and biscuits, despite our insistence that he should have a rest at some point. What a contrast it was to the day he and his friend first came to Dignity, asking about accommodation, and where to get food. They spent their first night in Nicosia sleeping in the open, even the mosque being unable to take them in. Since then, they have found their feet a little, secured somewhere to live, and have teamed up with others from their homeland.
For now, they will take the future one step at a time, for the challenges they face, like every refugee and asylum seeker everywhere are huge. Not least, is the concern for loved ones from whom they are separated. Abubakr’s homeland is at war. Indeed, even as music echoed round the Centre today, and members relaxed on Dignity’s comfortable sofas, awaiting their turn in the barber’s chair a new offensive began in the city near to where Abubakr and his friend grew up, and where their thoughts remain.
