Efficiency, why we must learn to be.

 There are no schools that you will sign up to to learn how to be efficient.

Most will teach you a profession or a skill and it's up to you to learn how to execute the job systematically.

When I learned how to be a loctician, I observed that many were just happy to learn to do retouches, and with the use of wax- reason?- It's quick and easy.

But many are not interested in learning how to seal locks that have holes in them, how to improve the density of thinning locks, how to reattach broken locks.

There are some who can't even shampoo locks because- That's the sink person's job-

When one of the locticians in the Salon I was apprenticing at realised I was interested in making artificial locks, he gave me the right tool, and taught me step by step for a week.

Later on, I was being trained in a different locks salon and I observed how they could mend torn locks using disappearing thread, how they made instant locks through an injecting technique, and finally when I was ready they taught me how to start fresh locks, how to shampoo fresh locks, and how to apply dye on locks.

At yet another  salon I learned how to install sisterlocks and microlocks, and for four months I worked with a girl who had learned the American way of installing sisterlocks using a measuring technique.

The one thing I challenged her was, even though she could make clean and neat installations, she had no idea what to do when hair started to thin. I recognized that it was also in the way the retouch was done, which would lead to weaker locks.

My previous training with the rasta brothers now came into play.

Rasta locticians don't use combs or scissors in their retouch. It's all in the hands. 

And African hair is not for the faint hearted. I will write more about this in a different post but just to mention here, I got trained in natural hair maintenance for six months. I learned what to expect, how to handle our woollike hair, and the science behind it. But with this knowledge, I was able to know how manoeuvre around locked hair.

Hair, like everything else, must be nurtured, with hands and fingers for it to flourish.

I have seen that with my garden. Plants need to be touched and reassured.

Hair can tell when your hands care. 

That is why you hear -huyo ako na mkono wa nywele-

I used to think it was an old woman's tale until I started getting feedback from new clients.

'My hair has a growth spurt since I started coming to you.'

'I feel like my hair has started to lengthen since you started doing my reties.'

'I no longer have dandruff.'

'I didn't even know you had started, you are very gentle.

Five years ago I didn''t know I could do hair. But I approached it with an open mind, with a determination to be excellent. And if I could blow my own trumpet here, I believe I have become one of the best locticians in East Africa. Just give me award already 😁

And that is my goal- to always, always do everything  efficiently.

I keep learning and acquiring different skills, because I believe as long as we are alivewe must continue to learn.

'Whatever your hand finds to do, do with all your might, for there is no work nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom in the Grave, where you are going- Ecclesiastes 9:10