Today we’d like to introduce you to Afua Amoah Kubiti.
Hi Afua, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Migrating from Ghana (West Africa) to the United States (New York) all by myself was such an experience for me. I was a 20-year-old and a 3rd-year university student who firmly believed that leaving my home country and lovely family behind wasn’t enough to stop me from pursuing the “American dream.” To say my transition was tough is an understatement—the culture shock, uncertainties, isolation, separation from family, setbacks, etc. However, I was insistent on living in the United States, where I knew I would be exposed to more opportunities than my country of origin would ever offer me.
My first job here in the United States was at a fast-food restaurant. I transitioned into the home health industry a few months later, working as a Home Health Aide. While I did this, I enrolled in college to pursue a degree in Nursing per unsolicited advice from a few relations and people within the Ghanaian community. According to them, any “serious” African immigrant who wanted to get hired after school had to pursue nursing as there wasn’t as much racial injustice within the nursing job market compared to other fields. Many young immigrants, like me, were given this same advice by the veteran members of the Ghanaian community in New York, and with the kind of urgency and seriousness that would leave one with no other choice.
Three years into nursing school, and of course, after taking tons of student loans, I quit miserably. I never enjoyed a single day of school within those three years, and that feeling would have only worsened if I had ever made it to becoming a nurse. For most people in my community, I was one failed, aimless, lazy girl who wasn’t smart and hard enough to pull through and become an unhappy nurse like most girls who look like me. After a series of contemplations and speaking with several academic advisors, I transferred my credits to another school (Long Island University), where I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree (Health Science). Doing this was my way to obtain some value for all the money and time spent in school. With lots of confusion and no concise plans regarding my career path, I decided to take a break from schooling and focus on other life aspects.
In 2015, my little family, which I had started three years prior, decided to move to Georgia for personal reasons. Georgia was very fair to me, to say the least. It was different from New York- very family-oriented, bigger living space for my then two boys, less hassle and tussle, etc. For the first time, I obtained a stable, flexible, and relatively decent-paying job as a Social Service Specialist with the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services with my bachelor’s degree. Not having a social work background in such a position was nerve-racking initially, but with a series of intense on-the-job training, I quickly became equipped and connected to my role and the people I served in this position. I looked forward to going to work every day regardless of my colleagues’ dislikes and dissatisfaction with this same job. From this time, I found a true passion for social work and knew I wanted to pursue further study in social work, so I went for it.
In 2017, I enrolled in graduate school (Widener University) to pursue a Master of Social Work Degree and graduated in 2020. Shortly after graduation, I changed positions as a state of Georgia employee and joined The Integral Group LLC as a Community Engagement Coordinator. I am proud to say that I am currently a Doctoral student pursuing a Doctor of Social Work Degree from Capella University, expecting to graduate in Winter 2024.
My path has not been as straightforward. Most of the things I am proud of today are byproducts of the things I failed at, and circumstances that were meant to break me. This statement is true in my ability to found Autism Wonders Inc following years of struggling to navigate my son’s Autism diagnosis. Now, Autism Wonders proudly serves several Autism-impacted individuals and families across Africa, North America, and the Caribbean with the selfless help, dedication, and support of my husband and amazing team.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey was a lonely one. My parents, with whom I had always lived, were suddenly oceans and thousands of miles away. With no support and guidance, I became very susceptible and vulnerable, causing me to make avoidable mistakes along the line, most of which I couldn’t recover from. Unlearning my way of life to re-learn the American way of life was a big hit for me- what I call “acculturation stress.” I had a lot of setbacks educationally and in other aspects of my life.
As you know, we’re big fans of Autism Wonders Inc. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
Established in November 2020, Autism Wonders Inc is a non-profit organization that aims to enhance the well-being and quality of life of Autism-Impacted families and individuals worldwide. In our attempt to achieve this mission, the organization’s number one goal was to fight autism stigmatization, targeting the parts of the world where cultural practices interfered with the fundamental human rights of children with autism. Within its first year of formation, Autism Wonders focused on providing culturally sensitive autism education to hundreds of autism parents in Ghana and Nigeria who needed to be sensitized about the autism condition. Doing this was our way to empower these parents to advocate and fight for their children with autism in all aspects. Along the line, Autism Wonders extended its services to include six internationally-run and four locally-run programs. Our programs are designed to provide autism-related support, resources, donations, education, empowerment, and financial assistance for autism-impacted families and individuals living in the USA, Canada, and less-privileged countries within Africa and the Caribbean.
Any big plans?
As an individual, finding a true passion in social work brings me many pressing dreams, aspirations, goals, opportunities, and plans for the future. As it is for most social workers, my core ambition is to ensure social and economic justice. In my current practice, I work daily to bring forth my knowledge, skills, and real-life experiences as a black female immigrant to advocate for, and empower the marginalized and oppressed populations within the communities I serve. My future goal is to become a macro social worker, specifically a policymaker. With my understanding of how policies affect the lives of ordinary citizens, I can employ my negotiation, coalition, advocacy, and consensus-building skills to influence policies that will ensure equity by all standards and enforce the rights of the grassroots.
As an organization, Autism Wonders Inc has big plans. Our vision is to bring out the abilities and wonders of autism by creating a well-informed, accepting, supporting, resource-filled, and stigma-free society where individuals and families impacted by autism will thrive. We believe that in autism lies some great talents, gifts, and abilities that the world should recognize and groom. We also believe that no child with autism in any part of this world should be maltreated, neglected, starved, dehumanized, or killed for cultural, religious, personal, or any reason. Until these are achieved, Autism Wonders will not stop fighting.
Contact Info:
- Website: autismwonders.us
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autismwonders/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DifferentNotDisable
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6li65rExCg00yvdvr7OZAQ
