by Hayati Nupus
JAKARTA, July 17 (Xinhua) -- The room remains quiet even though the 22 trainees are busy painting faces in front of them with lipstick and blush. They are learning makeup techniques from a teacher for wedding ceremonies, with the aid of a sign language translator.
The Indonesian Resilience Women Foundation organized the month-long makeup courses for hard-of-hearing students in Jakarta to help them build a possible career.
"I learned new techniques during this training, and I can practice applying cosmetics on my friends and family," Hasniah Chatab told Xinhua.
Chairperson of the foundation, Myrna Winarko, said one of the major challenges for the hearing-impaired to live independently is access to suitable employment since vocational training opportunities for them are minimal.
"Through this training, they will possibly get the knowledge and abilities needed to become financially independent," said Winarko, adding that their long-term goal is to create a business environment for those with impairments.
Over 200 people with hearing impairment registered for the courses, and the foundation arranged them in batches of 20 to attend the classes.
The foundation has created a business unit to provide as many training and employment opportunities as possible. "Seventy percent of our graduates have worked as makeup artists, for weddings, graduation ceremonies, or even fashion shows," she said.
For trainees to connect with their customers, the courses also include handling clients and social media marketing strategy. They also received encouragment from the trainers and the foundation, which helped develop their mental fortitude and self-assurance.
"As a result, they don't perceive themselves as inferior to others, and their shortcomings are actually their strengths rather than hindrance," said Sussie Sahroni, chief executive of the training.
The trainees are at an advantage over normal people in that they are more concentrated and imaginative, said Tina Almuin, a trainer from a cosmetics company sponsoring the training.
"Their makeup results are even better ... they cherish the opportunity to receive practical training," she said.
Darra Novita, a graduate of the training courses, has many clients for wedding makeup and prom makeup. She received most of her orders on social media platforms.
"I was very anxious when I first got an order, but I'm very happy to be able to enjoy the money I worked hard for," said Novita. "I can now use it to buy toys for my 7-year-old child."
She dreams of one day working with her husband, a photographer, to launch her own wedding planning business.
* https://english.news.cn/20230717/3ab75582efd540f98cb26fa05bd38157/c.html
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