A BEAUTY therapist will use the tricks of her trade to empower women in Uganda so they can work themselves out of poverty.

Self-employed Natasha Koval, from Colchester, has partnered with Born to be Beautiful, a charity which teaches beauty therapy skills to those caught in the trap of poverty, caused by sickness, war, human trafficking or prostitution.

With training schools already established in India and Africa, the therapists’ goal is to provide women with the skills to run their own beauty salons in a self-sustainable way.

Natasha will travel to Uganda on August 25 and stay there for two weeks.

She is looking forward to the chance to make a difference to other women’s lives.

She said: “I’d just left my job as I’d decided to start working for myself.

“I just happened to be on Facebook and saw a post from a former colleague about people being free in September to help with a project.

“I couldn’t believe how perfect the timing was.

“I firmly believe everything happens for a reason and that the universe gives us what we need at exactly the right time.

“I’m so thrilled I can volunteer my time and skills to such a beautiful cause.”

Natasha, 30, studied at the Training Room in Chelmsford, and has been qualified for just over two years in holistic treatments, massage and Reiki.

In Uganda she will help to teach 20 women without an education, basic beauty skills.

By doing so she is helping to change the perception of the beauty industry being purely superficial and for people to see it as a powerful tool for women to become self-sufficient.

She said: “The beauty industry can be an incredible force for good.

“I can’t wait to feel humbled and grateful that I can make a difference to another woman’s life.

“I have the feeling that although I think I’ll be rescuing these woman, in fact, they will be rescuing me because of their dignity, strength and ability to carry on despite the huge injustices they have suffered.”

To sponsor Natasha, click here.