Choosing fashion over food

Muni Achari walked into the training room of Fiji National University's hair, beauty and spa academy with no experience. But what she lacked in the know-how of hair sculpting, she made up in enthusiasm and eagerness to learn.

The 38-year-old recently graduated with a certificate in hair sculpture and she lans to open her own salon one day.

Muni recalled her first day of class when she struggled to handle hair equipment and keep up with the lecturer's instructions.

"Honestly, I did not know anything about hair or equipment or products," she said.

"My first day at the academy I was holding the shears wrongly so everyone was laughing, even myself."

After that first lecture, Muni began to observe her tutor and mimic everything she did.

"I copied everything from how she held the equipment, to the angle of her elbow, to which fingers she used on the clients hair.

"My teachers were all very understanding and helpful so that really made my learning easier."

The Namata, Sigatoka, native had already graduated in the food and beverage field from the Fiji National University but decided that she wanted to change her profession.

"I think fashion is better than food," she said. "I have seen that people focus more on fashion and their appearances and styles so they do everything to look good."

She believes this is true through observations she has made in her community.

"I even know some people who buy the cheapest food items for their family so that they can buy all the hair and make-up products to use on themselves.

Muni said apart from knowledge and skills, she had also benefitted physically from the hair and beauty course.

"I have lost a bit of my weight ever since I started the course because it requires me to stand for hours while doing up someone's hair," she said. "Another health benefit of the course was that before we began the day's lessons we would have half an hour of yoga classes conducted by our training officer Seema Agarwal."

The skills Muni gained in the course have also allowed her to help or be of assistance to her family members.

"My husband is a bus driver and sometimes he comes home and needs a massage because of all the hard work and stress."

"Instead of them going out and using money I can now use the skills I learnt."

She said the daily travelling between Sigatoka and Nadi for another qualification was worth it,

"It is just so wonderful and satisfying when you help beautify a person and they are very happy with how they look."

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