Enrolling in a beauty school

 

 

The Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez and Kristin Ohlson is a heart-rending true account that unravels the mysterious land of Afghanistan through the eyes of a foreigner. A hair dresser by profession, struggling with a troubled marriage and possessing no formal medicinal skills, Deborah had every reason not to be in the alien war-ravaged country. Against all odds, she forayed into the danger zone to provide humanitarian aid and discovered that apart from medical attention, the women yearned more to attend to their long neglected puffs and curls. Deborah attempted the impossible by opening a beauty school in Kabul with the help of promoters back in the United States. She soon realised that a beauty school is not just about combs, mascaras or rouge but about umpteen unforeseen elements. She finds herself entangled in a web of fear, with obstacles ranging from legislation, financial problems to cultural differences that reach their zenith when her school is shut down by the government. Through a delicate blend of humour and compassion, the reader is enticed into the lives of the customers of Deborah, of women who undergo immense hardships but still persevere for the dream of an unfettered tomorrow. The tales of her customers and personal battles provide for an insightful read that truly will linger in the minds of the reader.

Finally, Deborah demonstrates how the greatest lessons of life are learnt at school, even if it be only a beauty school...