In 2015, when I was 9 years old, I had a craze of long hair (quite common back then). That time, my parents came to know about hair donation organizations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and also Hair for Hope.

My parents were talking about it at home and then I realized how I could donate my locks. Soon, I donated 18 inches of hair to Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP), Sharjah. I felt really happy after donating and I decided that day itself to try growing my hair and donating it every single time. As hair is God’s gift, it is better to share and spread happiness.

I grew my hair back again, quite quickly, and in 2017, I donated 15 inches of my hair to FOCP. It made me feel really happy that I could, perhaps, put a smile on someone’s face.

This year again, I happily donated 17 inches of my hair to FOCP Sharjah making it three times in four years. I motivated a few of my friends as well, and my best friend also donated her hair along with me this year for the first time.

Many girls have long hair. Some just go to the parlor cut their hair and throw the same into the dust bin. I request all of those who have long hair and want to cut, please donate the same to the various nearby organizations, where they donate the same to the people in need in various parts of the world. I hope our small actions may help someone in need.

I would also thank Hair For Hope organization which motivates so many young kids to donate their hair for cancer patients and Friends of Cancer Patients for being an organization where we can donate our hair. This is a great initiative!

Neola Castelino is a grade 10 student living in the United Arab Emirates. She is a young environmentalist and a top recycler of the UAE. Neola has won the prestigious Sheikh Hamdan Award and Sharjah Excellence Award for excellence in education and other talents. She has also won the Diana Memorial Award for her environmental contribution to the UAE. Read other articles by Neola.