Van Geystel to teach cosmetology trade in Cambodia

Aly Van Geystel, a cosmetologist at Main Street Salon in Grand Coulee, will be traveling to Cambodia for the month of May to help teach the trade of cosmetology to former victims of human trafficking.

The Grand Coulee Eagles Lodge helped raise funds for the cause at a March 30 spaghetti dinner, which included a silent auction of items. The spaghetti feed, combined with a yard sale Van Geystel held, raised about $2,500 she said.

"A huge thanks to the Eagles," said Van Geystel, who said community businesses donated to help make the event a success, such as gift certificates and wine from The Wine Bar, and a raffle for a recliner donated by Loepps Furniture.

Van Geystel found out about the opportunity to help victims of human trafficking last year.

"I first found out about it through a barbering class I went to in downtown Seattle that was actually a fundraiser for the Justice and Soul Foundation," she said.

The non-profit organization's website reads. "Justice and Soul empowers trafficked and at-risk young women and men to become confident and self-sufficient individuals through professional training in cosmetology."

"A lot of the time," Van Geystel said, "former victims from human trafficking escape sex trafficking as children, but they don't have any other way to make money so end up back in the sex industry because that's all they know how to do. What Justice and Soul is doing is giving them the opportunity to get back on their feet, learn a trade, and then place them in salons in either Cambodia or in Seattle."

Van Geystel said she leaves for Cambodia on May 1.

More info on the cause can be found at justiceandsoul.org