Massi, a 30-year-old Algerian immigrant, has been offering free haircuts to homeless people and cancer patients in France. He became a hero in June 2025 when he saved a 9-year-old girl hanging from a balcony in Choisy-le-Roi. After his heroic act, he was granted a residence permit and has since been using his skills as a barber to help those in need. Massi's story is an inspiring example of integration and solidarity.
Massi arrived in France a few years ago and initially found himself in an irregular situation, facing the threat of expulsion. Despite the difficulties, he learned the trade of men's hairdressing and got hired in salons in the Val-de-Marne department. He eventually found accommodation and his life took a dramatic turn when he saved the 9-year-old girl. The city of Choisy-le-Roi honored him a few weeks later, and he received support from several elected officials and personalities.
Massi's heroic act earned him a residence permit, allowing him to work and live in France legally. He expressed his gratitude to France by saying, "Today, I want to give back to France what it has given me. I want to do good around me, despite the difficulties." He feels integrated into French society when he carries out such actions. Since then, he has multiplied solidarity initiatives, including offering free haircuts to homeless people and cancer patients.
Every Monday evening, Massi joins volunteers from the Ressources Urbaines association near the Paris City Hall. The association distributes food baskets and hot meals to nearly 300 people in precarious situations each week. Massi offers free haircuts to the beneficiaries, and the initiative has been well-received. He manages to cut the hair of between six and twelve people during each outing, and the association has had to introduce tickets to manage the queue.
On November 3, Massi transformed the lobby of the Gustave-Roussy Institute in Villejuif into a temporary hair salon. Patients, caregivers, and visitors could get free haircuts or shave their beards. The event was part of "Movember," a month dedicated to raising awareness about male cancers. This was the second time Massi had offered his services at the cancer center, following a first event in 2025.
Massi's actions have inspired many, and his story serves as an example of integration through solidarity. His scissors have become a means of thanking the country that welcomed him. For many Algerians in France, regularization remains a long and challenging process, often marked by waiting in prefectures. Massi's story shows the positive impact that integration can have, both for him and those he helps.
Massi's commitment to helping others is ongoing, and his story has resonated with many people in France. His selfless actions demonstrate the value of solidarity and integration, and his example may inspire others to follow in his footsteps. As a journalist covering the lives of Algerians living in France, Ilyes Rahmani notes that Massi's story highlights the complexities of regularization and the importance of finding ways to support those in need.
Key points
- Massi offers free haircuts to homeless people and cancer patients as a way of giving back to France.
- He was granted a residence permit after saving a 9-year-old girl from a balcony in Choisy-le-Roi.
- Massi's actions demonstrate the positive impact of integration and solidarity in France.
