Khadija is working in her dream profession: “A good support network helps you succeed”

Originally from Somalia, Khadija Amoud moved to Finland in her early twenties in 2002.

“I came here as a young mother with a baby. I now have a big family, a husband and five children. My oldest children are already adults, one is a teenager and the youngest is a six-year-old in pre-primary education,” Khadija says.

When Khadija arrived in Finland, it was early summer, the brightest time of the year.

“Back home, the sun rises at six in the morning and sets at six in the evening, so daylight and darkness are evenly divided. When I came here, I was surprised that the sun didn’t set and there was no proper night. I was told that at some point there would be nothing but night,” Khadija says with a laugh.

The early period in a new country was difficult for Khadija. She had to adapt to a completely different culture, customs, seasons and language.

“I didn’t know English, which some people manage well with here. I had to learn Finnish and try to understand people. The winter was a shock to me. Luckily, my husband said there was nothing to worry about, we would go to the shop and get winter clothes. So I bought a coat and shoes and wondered whether I was now dressing the same way as men do,” Khadija says with a chuckle.

Schooling begins

As a child, Khadija was never able to attend school in her unsafe homeland, which had been affected by civil war.

“When I was of school age, civil war broke out and destroyed everything. Here in Finland, I started from the very basics – learning to write the alphabet. I still don’t write perfectly, but I manage. At the same time, I studied Finnish and gradually learned more and more.

“Once I had learned something, I wanted to continue my studies so that I could enter working life. Without any education, it is not easy to find a job in Finland,” Khadija says.

Entering working life

“At first, I worked at a day-care centre as a cleaner. Cleaning was, of course, quite nice, but I wanted something more – I wanted to work with children. Luckily, I was able to take a care assistant course through the employment office and completed the qualification in 2014,” Khadija says.

Over the following years, Khadija Amoud worked as a care assistant, taking occasional shifts at a care home and a day-care centre. More than three years ago, she saw an online advert for a childcare worker at Aurala day-care centre.

Over the years, Khadija had become familiar with the work of Aurala Settlement Association. When her children were young, she attended a weekly handicraft club with them to learn how to knit woollen socks. She then went to meet the day-care centre director, Mervi Levo, and got the job.

“I wanted something more”

As Khadija had already completed her care assistant training, she was encouraged to continue her studies towards a practical nurse qualification through apprenticeship training.

“I wanted to further my qualification. Of course, I hope my work here will continue, but a practical nurse qualification will make it easier to find a job if needed.”

Four days a week, Khadija worked at Aurala day-care centre, and once a week she attended lessons at the Ruiskatu campus of Turku Vocational Institute.

“At first, apprenticeship training felt a bit demanding. I would first work here for eight hours, and then my family was waiting for me at home, where the work continued,” she recalls.

A good support network helps you cope

While studying for her practical nurse qualification, Khadija went through a difficult period in her personal life that placed a strain on her mental resources.

“At work, I received a great deal of support from Mervi, who was understanding and encouraging both as a colleague and as my supervisor. At home, my husband and my older children also supported me strongly. Without their help, I would not have had the strength to continue my studies. This showed me that a good support network is very important for coping and succeeding. Especially in difficult times, support is invaluable,” Khadija says, thanking her family and friends for their support.

A welcoming day-care centre

Aurala day-care centre, founded in 1941, is part of the activities of Aurala Settlement Association (Auralan Setlementti ry). Thirty-three local children spend their weekdays in the centre’s three groups.

“In each group there are two adults, so the working conditions are good. Of course, days vary, and we all have good and bad days, both children and adults,” says day-care centre director Mervi Levo.

“This is a changing field. Children’s need for support is more visible than in earlier years. You have to maintain your skills at a level where you can respond to all kinds of challenges,” she continues.

Both Khadija and Mervi enjoy their work.

“We have a very nice small working community, and everyone has their own sense of humour. Everyone can be themselves and share both joys and sorrows. Even on the most demanding days, a good team supports you,” Mervi says.

Maths a challenge

Khadija did well as an apprenticeship student.

“Mervi helped me, and at times I asked her the meaning of words or what something meant. The most difficult subject for me was maths, and medication calculations were challenging.”

Maths and medication calculations had not been part of her care assistant studies, so Khadija only began studying maths during her apprenticeship.

“In medication calculations, all five tasks must be completely correct, without any mistakes. The first time, I got three right, and the next time I passed. I practised medication calculations a lot. I’m very proud of myself for getting this far, as I never had the opportunity to study as a child,” says Khadija, who now works in a permanent position.

Mervi Levo praises Khadija’s perseverance and determination.

“She is an excellent example of what can be achieved with motivation. From what I have seen, it has not always been easy. Khadija has never complained that she couldn’t cope.”

Khadija creates a positive team spirit at work

During Khadija’s apprenticeship, Mervi worked closely with her as a colleague, supervisor and one of her assessors. Their cooperation continues to run smoothly.

“Khadija has excellent working life skills, and she is always reliable. She is there whenever needed and is flexible when necessary.”

Conscientious and always positive, Khadija is highly valued and well liked in her work community.

“Whatever comes our way, she always says we’ll manage, there’s no need to worry. What happens, happens, and then we live with it. She creates a very good team spirit for all of us.”

Knowledge of Finnish helps you move forward

Khadija encourages people who have moved to Finland and are considering studies to learn Finnish. She emphasises that learning the language requires a great deal of initiative and personal effort.

“I took part in Finnish language courses for mothers when my children were young. Although it was difficult at times, I am very grateful that immigrant mothers were given the opportunity to learn Finnish and that small children could be brought along,” Khadija says.

“If I think about a day-care centre as a work environment, it is difficult to meet children’s needs without a shared language. Multiculturalism is already visible in many day-care centres. In such situations, another language can also be useful for interpreting. However, Finnish is important,” Mervi Levo agrees.