A 31-year-old barber, Francisco Emanuel Batista de Oliveira, from São José dos Campos, Brazil, has caught people’s attention on the internet by sharing videos where he puts on hair prosthetics.
Francisco revealed that he has been a barber for 8 years and a prosthetics specialist for 6 years. He shared that over that time, he put hair prosthetics on over 4,000 adult men suffering from baldness, including cases of alopecia and cancer. But not only men suffer from these conditions; there are many children who face similar challenges. These children often struggle with self-esteem, confidence, and the emotional toll of appearing different from their peers.
In an interview with Bored Panda, Francisco told us how he started making hairpieces for children. “In December 2023, I created the João and Kamile Project, designed to help children who have gone through accidents or trauma. The name was inspired by the first two children I helped, João and Kamile. Since then, I’ve helped 79 children free of charge. Families usually find us through social media, and witnessing the transformation in the children’s lives inspires me to keep going.”
In the post down below, take a look at the before and after photos of these precious children who had the opportunity to sit in Francisco’s chair of transformation.
We were wondering about some of the biggest challenges Francisco faces in his work and how he handles them.
He wrote: “One of the biggest challenges is dealing with the emotional weight of each child’s story and their family’s struggles. Additionally, there’s the logistical challenge of offering free services to so many. My team and I dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly, leveraging social media support to ensure every child gets the best possible care.”
U ca literally see some light return to these souls I these before amd after shots and tthhe family in the background tyensee it too and qe see the whole thing and what it means to them all
Francisco shared how he works with the families of the children he helps and what changes he notices in them after they receive their prostheses.
“We work closely and empathetically with the families, explaining every step of the process and providing post-procedure support. The transformation is remarkable: children gain confidence, self-esteem, and genuine smiles. Families are deeply moved and grateful when they see their children’s happiness,” noted Francisco.
In hopes for the future, Francisco shared his dreams: “I hope to expand the João and Kamile Project to reach more children in different regions. I also want to raise awareness about the importance of hair in children’s self-esteem. My goal is to impact more lives and show that it’s possible to turn pain into hope.”
Lastly, Francisco added: “I want to thank everyone who supports this work, whether by sharing videos or simply believing in the importance of this project. Every smile we see at the end of the day is a reminder that empathy and solidarity can change the world.”
I’ve seen him on TikTok. He actually wears a wig himself and shows it to the kids to encourage them.
