Sophia Francis’ journey from ancillary worker to counsellor
The inspiring Sophia Francis, whose career trajectory took her from cleaner, to attaining a master of arts in counselling psychology, shares below how faith and ambition helped her grow emotionally, spiritually, and academically.
THE old Chinese proverb says, “A journey of a thousand miles began with one step”. A significant part of my journey began at the University of Technology (UTech), Jamaica.
In January 1995, I started employment in the housekeeping department as an ancillary staff/ cleaner attendant specifically assigned to the girls’ dormitory, “Block B”. My duties included cleaning the bathroom, including the toilet, and showers, washing shower curtains, mopping the main halls and the staircases and emptying the garbage bin. During that time, I encountered many challenges – unflushed toilets, sanitary napkins not being disposed of properly, garbage bins being overfilled, etc. Also, there was a lack of cleaning materials such as soap, bleach,disinfectant and other needed materials—additionally, it was very challenging to clean such a large place by myself.
However, as much as I hated those instances, I was grateful, and I did my best knowing that I was not qualified for any other job. I had no education or training, and the small salary was putting food on my table, which gave me a sense of independence. Therefore, I humbled myself until then.
Despite facing obstacles, I had the pleasure of meeting some wonderful young ladies who made me feel valued. They would express their gratitude, with gifts or just say thanks for making their environment clean. Each morning as I went to work, I made it a priority to dress the best I could. It did not just enhance my appearance, but it boosted my self-confidence. I always held onto the belief that I would do better one day. I knew I had it in me, but I did not know how, when, or where. One day, a gentleman said to me “You shouldn’t be working in housekeeping, you should work in the president’s office, look how you dress nice”. I laughed.
One day while I was cleaning the dormitory, I recalled I started speaking to myself saying, “I will not leave here the way I came here”. I wasn’t even sure what I was saying, nor did I know that I was speaking positively in my life because I wasn’t sure that I could do that. Although I was unsure of the meaning of positive speaking, as that term was not in my vocabulary, my imagination ran wild with the thought that something greater was out there.
However, I kept saying it not knowing that the Lord’s plans for me were beyond my imagination. However, as much as I was saying “I will not leave here the way I came here”, there were days when I wanted to quit, pack up and leave. The job was difficult, and the pay was small, but for some reason I did not. Something or someone kept me.
Earlier years
My childhood days were rough and were not filled with a lot of positive words, and I lost my mother during my teenage years. But my dad was there, he would often say, “go to school and learn”. He would encourage me a lot. Despite my father’s encouragement, I graduated from secondary high school without any Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) subjects. He never quarrelled, and his response was “You can do them again”, which I did many years after.
I describe myself as ambitious, kind, passionate, loving and very resilient I always overcome challenges no matter what they may be. I may not have the answers when hurtful and painful situations arise, but one thing for sure is that I never let it stop me, I always bounce back. Now I understand what Paul meant when he said in Romans 8: 37, “Nay in all these things we (I) are more than a conqueror”.
One day, one of the students approached me and said, “Miss Sophia, I’m so proud of you. I shared with my mother how you never complain about your work and how ambitious you are. You always inspire me with your words…”
“I will not leave here the same way I came here”.
After hearing this I realised that I was saying something good to myself, and someone noticed me. Soon after, the desire for higher education started growing inside. I’m not sure when and how, but it did, and I embraced it. The opportunity to attend CXC classes presented itself through the then Physical Development and Operation Office, now the Facilities Management Department (FMD), and I got enrolled. Unfortunately, I did not pass any of the three subjects. After some time, I decided to try again. But this time I did them on my own listening to some CXC CDs that I bought. I was successful.
The desire to become a paediatric nurse was my greatest desire. I love working with children, and childcare was my practicum area in secondary school, but I didn’t know where to start. However, when my second child was about nine months old, I got registered in a practical nursing school where I started and completed a certificate course in practical nursing. I was excited and happy because I felt like I had achieved something big, and this was the start of my nursing journey. However, that was just the beginning of my academic journey which I didn’t even expect.
“I will not leave here the way I came here” was my motto. I had no idea what the route would be, but it would happen somehow. I remember when the idea came to me to return to school, I was looking outside of UTech. But a kind gentleman (former staff of FMD) said to me, “You are already at UTech, so consider studying here. There are several benefits, and you won’t have to take a bus to go elsewhere after finishing work in the evenings. Just focus on your studies here“.
I appreciate the advice I received; it paid off.
The unexpected.
One day after being absent from work, I was summoned to my supervisor’s office. I was not pleased when I received the message. Anyway, with much reluctance I went wondering what is it that she wanted. I was not prepared for what I heard. Moreover, the first thing that came to my mind was, “what she want?” and “KMT”. Honestly, I was getting annoyed with cleaning Block B. I recalled that same morning when I woke up, I remember saying to God. “Lord if you don’t take me off Block B I am going to resign even if I don’t know where I am going”. Frustration stepped in, or was it faith?
When I met with my supervisor, she sent me to the conference room I was like God what is this now? It must be serious why she can’t speak with me at her desk. Anyway, when she came into the room, she was smiling, and she said to me, “Sophia Nurse has requested for you to be relieved of your duties at the housekeeping department and join the team at the daycare centre as a caregiver because you have studied childcare in school and you have recently completed a practical nursing certificate”.
The feeling was indescribable, I was shocked! Happy! Certainly not what I was expecting. But when God decides it’s your time, it is your time. I spent 15 years in the Cynthia Shako Day Care Centre as a caregiver, and during that time I completed my certificate in childcare development in 2005, and in 2014 I completed my Bachelor of Science degree in Child and Adolescent Development from UTech, Jamaica College of Health Sciences.
This was a significant achievement for me because initially, I never fully understood the benefits of higher education, so I never imagined I would complete a degree. But knowing me, I was willing to learn. Therefore, as my desire to pursue higher education grew and the opportunity arose, I embraced it, even though I wasn’t entirely certain of what it would involve.
Another strategic move by god
In 2017, the supervisor of the UTech Mustard Seed Communities Centre recommended that I assume the role of acting supervisor for two years while she pursued higher education. I was officially appointed to this position by the Human Resources Department. After completing the two-year term, I was seconded to the Assessment Centre, where I provided administrative support for four years. I presently serve as the administrative support for the Graduate Studies and the Ethics Committee in the College of Health Sciences.
Responding to the prophetic
I was driven by a strong desire to become a counsellor, because I always loved to encourage people, and I desired to study guidance counselling. But little did I know that there was something bigger. Nevertheless, I started on a journey to find suitable educational institutions. I was reluctant in the search because I did not know where to start. One day I got a visit from a devout woman whom I had never met before, despite knowing her granddaughter who was a former client at the daycare where I was employed. She gave me a message and said that the Lord said I would be going to go back to school, but it would be a Bible school. I was like Ha! I do not want to be a pastor, what is she talking about? Bible school? Little did I know that God’s divine plan for my life transcends my understanding.
In 2019, I was recommended to apply to the Caribbean Graduate School of Theology for the master’s programme in counselling psychology. I started thinking that it was too far from work and home, and the evenings would be difficult after work. Nevertheless, I did apply and got accepted immediately. On that day of acceptance, I recalled the head of the department (now deceased) said to me, “Where there is purpose there is provision”. I wrote it down and every time I faced challenges during my studies, I repeated it. However, my worries about travelling from Papine to Constant Spring Road in the evenings to attend class and the challenges that I would experience never happened because of COVID-19, and all classes were moved online. God’s understanding is unsearchable.
I had no idea where the money would come from, but God did. Whatever He started He will finish. For the first semester, the fee was covered with a loan. However, when the second semester started, I was told that the institution could no longer assist me financially due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was heartbroken, but on that day when I left the Human Resources Department, I did not quarrel, I just lifted my hands to God and said, “Thank you Lord because if you did not know where the money would be coming from you would not have allowed them to turn me down”. There is always another way with God. God did come through, and instead of a loan, I received three scholarships for over $300,000 on separate occasions. A person who I did not know also assisted by transferring money to my account to help with my tuition. One of my sisters brought three of the books that I needed. God did it and I owed all my achievement to him. He started me and finished the job.
In August 2023, I completed my master’s degree in counselling psychology and on December 2, 2023, I graduated with honours. Won’t God do it! I intend to be the best counselling psychologist that I can be, incorporating biblical principles in my practice.
Completing my master’s was never easy. Adjusting to online learning came with many challenges and sleepless nights, but my favourite Bible verse is, “I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me” (Phil 4:13).
Encouragement
It does not matter who you are and the challenges that you may be facing, God is the same God of the Jewish and the Gentiles. Your socioeconomic background, and demographic, do not matter to God ,all you need to do is trust Him and he will bring it to pass. “Trust in the Lord with all of thine heart and lean not unto your own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge him and He shall direct thy path” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Furthermore, God says, “I know the plans that I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29: 11). Certainly, with that anyone can declare that God will do what He said. Starting is the most difficult part. Some people will support you, some won’t, but don’t let that shatter your dreams. Buckle up run the race and God will carry you through. There will be voices telling you different things but when you decide what you want, you can do it. Be determined, push, and be resilient, because growth is possible. Do not think about where the resources/money will be coming from, just get started the help will come. But one thing I must say, remain humble.
Reflecting on where I have started from to where I am now, I have grown. I have grown emotionally, spiritually, and academically. Emotionally, I am aware of my self-worth, and my self-esteem is higher, I’m also aware of others’ emotions and more sensitive to their thoughts and feelings. Spiritually, I learn to pray more and trust God knowing that His timing is the best. Academically, I have achieved more than I had expected. I never thought of a master’s degree, but it was in God’s plan for my life, and I have achieved it.
Currently, I am a member of the Jamaican Psychological Society (JamPsych) and I am completing voluntary counselling hours to assist those in need while working towards obtaining my license as soon as possible.
I am grateful for all the destiny helpers God placed in my life who have supported me on my journey to reach my current stage. But my journey is not over yet. Therefore, if anyone should ask what next? I will tell them that I will let you know when the next chapter opens.
Email Sophia Francis at wisdomforlife2020@gmail.com.
