How we started - WOMANA Education      Consultants CIC

From Wife and Mother to Educator: A Journey of Perseverance and Passion

My story began in Jamaica, where I thrived as a sales representative for the Observer, the country's second-largest newspaper. I loved the fast-paced nature of sales and the joy of connecting with people. However, life took a transformative turn in December 2002 when my husband and I moved to England. He pursued his ACCA accreditation in accountancy, and I embraced my role as a mother to our two young children, both born in Jamaica.

Soon after arriving in England, I felt a deep calling to do more with my life. My dream of becoming an educator began to take shape in 2007, when I enrolled in a one-year Access to Teaching course. By 2009, I embarked on my university journey to qualify as a primary school teacher, all while raising a growing family of five children. Balancing the demands of parenting and academics was daunting, but my determination kept me going.

In 2011, I decided to expand my ambitions and pursue a degree in education, aiming to create opportunities beyond the classroom. I attempted to transfer to a local university, but I encountered an unexpected and heartbreaking setback. Immigration rules had changed under Prime Minister David Cameron, and I was no longer classified as a home student, as I had been just two years earlier. The transition to international student status brought fees that were beyond my reach. Heartbroken, I was forced to put my studies on hold for five long years, waiting for my immigration status to change.

Finally, in 2016, my dream was reignited. Now a mother of eight, I resumed my education, enrolling in a degree program in Education and Social Policy. Despite the challenges, I was determined to persevere. In 2018, I graduated with a 2.1 BA (Hons) degree, in Education and Social Policy, an accomplishment that filled me with immense pride. Walking across the graduation stage, surrounded by family and friends who had supported me through thick and thin, was one of the most joyous moments of my life.

True to my nature, I didn't stop there. In February 2019, I challenged myself further by pursuing a postgraduate degree in Health and Social Care Management and Policy. The journey was tough, but I embraced it wholeheartedly. A dear friend reminded me of my resilience and encouraged me with words I held close: If I don't try, I'll never know what I'm capable of.

December 2021 marked yet another proud moment as I graduated with my master's degree. That day was a celebration of resilience, hard work, and unwavering support from my loved ones. Now a mother of 10, achieving my postgraduate degree solidified my belief that education has the power to transform lives. Regardless of where you come from, education opens doors, creates opportunities, and equips you to change the world.

During my university years, I became deeply involved in the Students' Union. I served as a class representative, a course representative, mums@uni Society as secretary, peer to peer student support and later as a full-time Students' Union officer, representing the School of Social Sciences and Professions. Eventually, I was elected to become the Students' Union President for 2022-2023 academic year, and finally, the Teaching and Learning coordinator, for the university in 2023-2024.

These leadership roles allowed me to engage with a diverse range of students from around the world. I supported and mentored many who faced complicated challenges, helping them succeed in their studies and blossom into remarkable role models within their families and communities. Drawing from my own lived experiences, I was able to guide them through their journeys of transformation.

It was through these profound experiences that WOMANA Education Consultants CIC was born—a venture fueled by my passion for supporting, mentoring and empowering others.