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Helping others has become Abdelhamid Ait Tchine's life mission, rooted in his ability to stand on his own feet and lead a successful life after enduring a long journey of struggles abroad.
A barber based in Madrid, Abdelhamid—known as Hamid among his peers—felt compelled to extend a helping hand when he first heard about the devastating floods in Valencia Province, eastern Spain. The floods claimed more than 200 lives and destroyed critical infrastructure.
In early November, Hamid, along with his brother and colleagues, packed their tools and traveled to the flood-stricken province to offer their unique kind of help: hairdressing. «After the floods, I decided to go to Valencia for one initiative: offering food, cleaning, and free haircuts», Hamid told Yabiladi.
Once in Valencia, Hamid and his team set up their gear and waited for customers. «We knew that during such catastrophes, the last thing you think about is cutting your hair, but it was more than just a haircut we were offering—it was a kind of 'therapy'», he explained.
From free haircuts to heartfelt connections
Indeed, people began to arrive, not only for the free haircuts but also to open their hearts. In a video that went viral, shared by Hamid social media, a flood survivor broke down in tears while sitting in Hamid's chair.
The man, visibly emotional, hugged Hamid and his team, mourning the devastation in his hometown and expressing gratitude for their thoughtful gesture. «That man in the video was heartbroken. He had lost everything—his money, his home, and possibly his car», Hamid recalled.
«People came not just to get a haircut but, more importantly, to talk. They needed to express their feelings, and it made them feel better», he added, describing the profound connection he formed with the survivors.
Hamid was particularly proud to see other Moroccans in Valencia engaging in heartfelt initiatives to help the victims. «We weren’t the only ones. In Valencia, we saw Moroccans who made us really proud—some were making tacos for free, while others were offering homemade chfenj (Moroccan donuts)», Hamid said.
Offering free haircuts to those in need is not new for Hamid, who owns a barbershop in Madrid. Over the years, he has organized numerous initiatives, including providing haircuts to the homeless, seniors in retirement homes, and distributing face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hamid’s journey to success was far from easy. In 2004, he arrived in Spain as a vulnerable, unaccompanied minor. «I was only 15 years old», said the Casablanca-born barber, who chose not to share details of his irregular migration to avoid encouraging other teenagers to take the same risk.
Hamid was first placed in a migrant center for minors in Cuenca, a city in Castilla–La Mancha. Though rebellious and prone to fleeing the center, Hamid found his path thanks to the center's director.
«The director wanted me to stay and asked me what I liked most. I told her I loved cutting and styling hair, and she helped me», Hamid recalled.
With her support, Hamid enrolled in a hair and beauty academy, eventually landing a job at a local barbershop. His dedication and skill quickly earned him a reputation in Cuenca. However, like many others, Hamid lost his job during the 2008 economic crisis, prompting him to open his own barbershop.
After years of hard work in Cuenca, Hamid set his sights on bigger opportunities and moved to Madrid. He now runs his own salon there and is preparing to open a second branch. His goal is not only to expand his business but also to support fellow Moroccans and mentor young hairdressers.
