Grace in the Face of Challenges

Afia Biaa Poku embodies a rare kind of confidence — calm, steady, and deeply grounded. It’s in the way she speaks, how she listens, and how she carries herself. Beneath her composed presence is a story of faith, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of making life better for those around her.

Dreams that Cross the Ocean

Afia grew up in a loving community with a large, close-knit family in Ghana, living with her mom and sister, and often spending time with her father. Her upbringing was deeply shaped by faith and tradition, as she grew up as a pastor’s child. Living up to everyone's expectations wasn’t easy. Afia explained that “it’s a life of responsibility.”

As a teenager, Afia wanted to “make people’s lives better, not just easier, but healthier and more sustainable,” so she pursued urban studies and environmental planning. In 2015, when she was just 18, she travelled across the Atlantic Ocean to make that dream a reality. She earned her Bachelor of Environment: Global Environmental Systems and later pursued a Master of Urban Studies at Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Canada.

While completing her Master’s in 2022, Afia experienced a devastating loss; her partner of three years fell ill and passed away within two months of diagnosis. “I don't think it's an experience anyone should go through,” she recalls.

Choosing Care

As Afia was finishing her education, Canada’s immigration system changed midstream, forcing her to reassess her path. “It does get frustrating because they keep moving the goal post. There’s never certainty in the decisions you’re making. I’ve gotten the education, and still… what more do I have to do to get the work experience?” With immigration policies prioritizing healthcare, Afia chose to pursue a career as a Health Care Assistant at Stenberg College. Her choice was influenced by her past work with children and youth, which sparked her interest in caring for others and making a difference.

At Stenberg College, her program gave her more than an education, it gave her a community. “I had a nice time in the program,” she says, “Because of the small class size, I was able to make lifelong friends.” Nine of her classmates wrote a letter of reference that stated, "Afia has a natural ability to bring students together. She consistently wears a bright and genuine smile, which not only reflects her optimistic nature but also helps to create a positive and encouraging environment.”

Because of the small class size, I was able to make lifelong friends.

Two instructors that stood out to her were Joan Metselaar, for making her classes engaging, and Marilyn Limvalencia, who was helpful in directing her career path, and felt accountable for her students’ success.

Her instructors were equally impressed. Joan said, “Afia is an exceptional student. She worked hard academically and was very successful in achieving excellent grades. The student is very engaging and confident in her abilities. She is a very smart young woman who is soft spoken yet confident.” Marilyn echoes those comments, “Afia works hard and is smart, humble, and caring.”

Her decision to become a Health Care Assistant was affirmed during her practicum at Evergreen Baptist Care Home, all because of a patient who had dementia. “Every time she saw me, she was happy and grateful,” Afia recalled, “On my last day with her, she turned to me and said in English, ‘What?’, as if asking, why are you leaving? It was the first English word I’d heard her say. That moment made me realize what I was doing mattered.”

Her clinical instructor, Geraldine Nacu, said, “Afia displayed remarkable interpersonal skills and teamwork. She engaged warmly with patients and their families, fostering trust and comfort in what can often be vulnerable moments.”

That moment made me realize what I was doing mattered.

Moving Forward with Purpose

After graduating with a 94% grade point average, Afia is building a career in healthcare as a Health Care Assistant, and in the future, plans to build her career in health informatics or health administration. She is currently working at Hollyburn Family Services. Beyond her work, Afia continues to be deeply connected to her community at American Missionary Church. She currently represents the Canadian branches across North America.

Despite systemic and personal setbacks, Afia has never given up, never given in. Her faith gives her strength to persevere and the confidence to succeed. In a world where the goalposts keep moving, Afia chooses to move forward, one patient, one smile, one act of care at a time. And in doing so, she's achieving exactly what she set out to do as a teenager in Ghana: making people's lives genuinely better.