Recently, a 12-year-old burn victim has become an internet sensation after “growing” a new, complete head of hair with the help of a talented hairdresser.
Francisco Emanuel Batista de Oliveira, 31, from Sao Paulo, Brazil, has been working as a hairdresser for eight years. Last December, Mr. Oliveira launched the “João Project,” an initiative to assist children suffering from hair loss. The project provides each client with a new head of hair free of charge.
Children undergoing hair surgery at Mr. Oliveira’s salon are usually shy, quiet, and lacking in self-esteem. To ease the tension and help the children relax, Mr. Oliveira showcases his own wigs to them. He says it also helps him connect with the kids.
One of the beneficiaries of the “João Project” is 12-year-old Guilherme, who lost his hair at the age of 3 due to a house fire that left him with severe burns on his head, preventing hair growth.
Mr. Oliveira frequently shares makeover videos on his Instagram page @franciscoprotesecapilar. Guilherme’s transformation video, where the creative hairdresser meticulously fixed the boy’s hair, has touched the hearts of many.
At the end of each session, the salon is often filled with joyful smiles and tears, with everyone experiencing intense emotions.
Each hairpiece used by the hairdresser is made of a silicone base and 100% human hair. Mr. Oliveira’s studio purchases these products from suppliers. During the approximately three-hour surgery, the staff tailor the pieces according to the children’s desired hairstyles. Mr. Oliveira explains that after the surgery, home care must be done every 15 days, and a new hairpiece must be changed annually.
After the surgery, Guilherme smiles brightly as he admires his new hair. His family and onlookers stand by his side, sharing the same joy, embracing and laughing together.
When Mr. Oliveira asked Guilherme how he felt about his new hair, he received a simple and heartfelt answer: “Feliz!” In Portuguese, feliz means “happy.”
Mr. Oliveira says all the children “leave here with brightness and smiles on their faces.” It’s no wonder Guilherme himself bounced out of the studio that day.
The joy in the studio that day extended beyond its walls and reached thousands around the world. The video has been viewed by millions, with commenters expressing their support.
“Everyone should have high self-esteem. This boy got it back! It’s exciting!” one commenter said in Portuguese.
“Who’s cutting onions, I’m crying! He is so happy,” another commenter remarked.
The passionate hairdresser says that the children from the “João Project” have taught him to live with a smile. He describes them as “sincere and loving,” and nothing compares to the feeling he gets when blessing them with new hair.
Named after the first child to participate, the “João Project” has helped 36 teenagers so far. Each child has a story to tell, but they have all experienced “some type of accident or trauma.” Most of the children are victims of hair loss or cancer. According to Mr. Oliveira, the children’s struggles make them stronger.
Thanks to the internet, the number of people moved by Mr. Oliveira’s work far exceeds the 36 children in the project.
“People are touched by these stories, and understanding that children’s new hair can make a difference in their lives,” he says.