COVID-19 School Shutdown Turns Female Teacher Into A SMART Barber

When other teachers were counting their losses, Joyce Nana Ama Kumi, decided to become a barber to ensure she does not become idle and dependent on others.

Joyce Nana Ama Kumi applied her Educational Psychology thinking at the University of Cape Coast along with her creativity to start a business as a barber. You can call her “Joyce the Barber”.

“Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainty”–Erich Fromm.

She decided as a newly graduated teacher from the University of Cape Coast not to allow her creative instincts and knowledge to go unutilized.

This propelled her to do something different in the face of uncertainty. She ventured into barbering with the belief that she can do anything she puts her mind to.

Today, her inspiring story should challenge all teachers in both the public and private sector schools, graduates, and students to think smart and use their talents and creativity to break the systemic barriers created by the government. This way our educators and graduates can invest in their lives and become less dependent on monthly salaries that are far below the worth of their efforts. The youth of Ghana in secondary school and tertiary institutions must aim at building their businesses before leaving school. It is possible if you start thinking and planning now.

READ: 5 Trends in Education for 2021 that will transform teaching and learning

But what pushed Joyce Nana Ama Kumi to start thinking?

Stress is the fertilizer for creativity – Jenna Meharg. The announcement by the President of the Republic of Ghana Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, that schools should be closed down throughout Ghana due to the Coronavirus meant her chances of finding a job were limited.

The government’s preferences for graduates from Colleges of Education for teaching vacancies in basic schools also meant she was going to have a tough time finding a job as a teacher under the Ghana Education Service.

The announcement that schools would not reopen until January 2021 was the last straw that sparked off her quest for what she can do with her life in the midst of the ravaging pandemic at the same time she was also waiting to be posted to do her compulsory national service.

These and many other issues dashed in and out of her mind, compelling her to put her thinking cap on and think outside the box.

Joyce who could not stand being idle at home took her faith into her hand. She has a burning passion for arts and crafts, and no one could stop her from applying her mind to make a living out of it.

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After a few days of deep thinking, she settled on going into barbering. In Ghana, barbering has become a lucrative job but is dominated by men. This was not enough to derail her quest and passion.

She told herself “I’m good when I use my hand so I said ‘ok why don’t I enter into barbering’. I’m learning, I can barber and I’m still learning,”

She revealed this in an interview with a correspondent of GhanaWeb.

Joys the barber does not want her ambition and success to be to her benefit only. She looks forward to imparting her knowledge to junior and senior high school graduates in her neighbourhood to empower them.

She is also gradually improving her makeup skills, which may become another department at her barbering shop she operates. Discover your talents just like Joyce did and impact the world.

All she has in mind now is to be a blessing to JHS and SHS graduates who have the desire to learn how to barber or do makeup.

Words of encouragement and the desire to help others flow freely from Joys and she had this to say. “There are some people who can do something that is creative, but because everything is about school. They’ll also be in school so if you can pinpoint some children who are creative, with the makeup I learned and the barbering, I think I can teach them.”

Teachers like these are rare and Joyce Nana Ama Kumi is an example. Today, every haircut service she provides in her shop is a testament to determination, self-belief, and the burning desire to break boundaries.

4 Ways To Discover Your Talents And Utilize Them

Nearly everyone has one or more talent. You have it hence discover your talents that can be put to good use just like Joys the barber did. But very often, we are unable to point out this all-important talent.

To help you, we provide some basic things you can do to help discover your talents and utilize them. Pastor Mensa Otabil once said “We have to uncover to discover” and that is true.

1. You can identify your talent by taking a personality test. 

Through a personality test, you can know what your talents are likely to be, the strength and weaknesses your personality has and what you are capable of doing will be clearer. Take a personality test now.

2. Discover that one thing that makes you feel strong

Some people are good at writing creative stories, others are born artists, for others they are good at teaching or babysit. These are natural skills that can be converted into businesses.

3. Find out from family and friends what you are good at.

Your friends’ can share the most sincere facts about your talent. Your family can provide some insight into things you loved doing when you were young. Your talent may be hiding in there.

4. Learn a new skill

Learn a new skill that matches an interest you have and you would be on your way to success. The skills you learn can help you start a small business, just like Joyce.

Her story should inspire young women especially to aspire to use their knowledge, talent, and creative instincts to create businesses. Go out there and discover your talent. Knowledge is power, but passion drives it where it matters most.

Source: GhanaEducation.Org