We previously shared the story of Roksolana Adam — a young Roma woman who dreamed of becoming a hairdresser.

Thanks to the We strive to create a warm and supportive atmosphere in our courses, where women can feel safe, confidently grow, and learn new skills without fear.

We strive to create a warm and supportive atmosphere in our courses, where women can feel safe, confidently grow, and learn new skills without fear.

 “We arrive, and people are already there, waiting for us. They explain what kind of haircut or coloring they want. Our instructor comes over and explains everything if we don’t understand something. She can explain it three or even four times if needed. She never yells or raises her voice, which is really nice. People say, ‘Don’t worry, everything will be fine, you’ll do great,’” Roksolana shares.

We also offered Roksolana additional training because we believe in providing comprehensive support and knowledge that can truly change women’s lives.

“In addition to learning hairdressing, I also attended lectures on the Ukrainian language, women’s health, and SMM, where I learned how to manage social media. I’m so grateful for these courses and the opportunity to study and pursue my dream. It’s comforting to know that I’m not alone and that there are organizations ready to help,” says Roksolana.

We are delighted that our initiatives empower Roma women to discover their talents. It’s not just about acquiring new skills — it’s about finding oneself, pursuing dreams, and receiving the support needed along the way.

The retraining and upskilling courses for Roma women were supported by HIAS Ukraine as part of a partnership with the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA). The information presented in this material does not necessarily reflect the views of HIAS or JFNA.