Syrian hair stylist tries to build new career in Moncton

When 23-year-old Siwar Jneid came to Moncton in February, he brought with him eight years of experience as a hair stylist and an eagerness to practice his passion in his new country.

“It’s really amazing to see the technical expertise that’s being brought along with these people”

Gabrielle Fahmy · CBC News · Posted: Jul 28, 2016 7:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: July 28, 2016

Siwar Jneid posing with one of his new Canadian clients after a haircut in Moncton. (Facebook/Style by Siwar)

When 23-year-old Siwar Jneid came to Moncton in February, he brought with him eight years of experience as a hair stylist and an eagerness to practise his passion in his new country.

What he didn't have was a certificate that allowed him to cut and style hair in the province or a command of the language.

"In Syria I worked with artists, models, in television, fashion, doing hair and makeup" said Jneid.

Jneid was one of the few refugees who came to the province alone.

Since being in Moncton, he's spent the majority of his time learning English, taking language courses at the multicultural association for 15 hours a week.

It's an essential part of building his new life, but it's also left him wanting more.

"I don't like to just go for class and after I go home just to clean and cook," he said.

Jesse Kerpan, the family connection volunteer for Jneid, feels that most of the city's Syrian refugees are in a similar situation, having come to Canada with little or no English, but lots of talent.

"It's really amazing to see the technical expertise that's being brought along with these people who have been displaced, not of their own accord," said Kerpan.

Cutting again

Siwar Jneid has been living in Moncton since February. He came from Damascus, Syria, where he had been working as a hair stylist for eight years.

Determined to help Jneid practise his trade, Kerpan said he took the plunge one day and asked Jneid to cut his hair, and it all snowballed from there.

"It just started from one post on Facebook, and I got so much response that we had to create a page, and we've been driving around town every week doing haircuts," he said.

The page, Style by Siwar, was Kerpan's idea.

He calls himself Jneid's unofficial manager, booking his appointments and accompanying him to meet clients.

But Kerpan says it's all done on a volunteer basis, as a way for Jneid to keep up his skills and connect with potential future clients, since he doesn't have the proper accreditation.

"People meet Siwar and immediately love him, he's just such a charismatic guy," said Kerpan.

For Siwar, the goal is to get certified, and open a salon one day.

"After I finish classes and my English is good," said Jneid.