For Sissiblissi “Sissi”, the Home Instead® Caregiver of the Month, his position is an important mission, and he strives to serve with impact every day. “For my life’s perspective, I draw on a quote from Roman emperor and philosopher Marcus Aurelius: ‘What you do in your life resonates in eternity,’ ” Sissiblissi said. He added a second philosophical take that has a spiritual tone: “May God guide the light to our light for the progress of all mankind,” which is similar to the Bible passage in Matthew 5:16. “Several qualities always have governed my life: My love for my neighbors and serving others with joy,” he said.
Before coming to the United States, Sissi did not have a senior-care background. Sissi was married in 2006, in Lome, Togo, and is the father of three children. About four months after arriving from the West African country of Togo in 2018, with his wife and three children, Sissi says, “That is then when a new life began.”
Sissi earned a bachelor’s degree in science and mathematics in 1997 from College of St. Joseph de Lome in Togo. “I served my country for 13 years as a tax manager, and for17 years total in that field,” he explained. “I was born into a wealthy family where my childhood was happy and full of adventures. I liked to travel and very early on, I developed an instinct to serve and help my friends. I was always a protector and advocate for all my friends and family members.”
When Sissi switched career gears after moving to America, his goal was to become a nursing assistant. To that end, he began attending Malcolm X College in Chicago to earn a basic certificate as a nursing assistant as well as earning an associate degree in pre-nursing. He has had clinical experience at two hospitals. Later, he joined owner Kelly Hutchison’s award-winning Home Instead franchise in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. “Since entering the Home Instead community, I have felt a great joy in serving and helping elderly people to live happily. I must mention our founder, Kelly Hutchison, who always supports his employees and understands his staff,” said Sissi, who was honored as the franchise’s Caregiver of the Month for July.
“I might add, the Home Instead staff is to whom I throw flowers and say thank you for your support at this time of joy and honor. I don’t want to forget mentioning our human resources manager, Alina Merrill. Alina always is listening to our worries and providing us with assistance. Again, thank you, Home Instead. It is not workplace only, but a family home to me.”
Sissi added: “This age is, for me, the beginning of the life, and these people – our clients – have the knowledge of their life’s experiences and it’s an amazing thing for me to assist them.”
