HEERA ALAYA

ARTERIES

“I wake up positive every morning: “Keep going, Stella, keep going.
Today is another day.” If I can do it, anyone can.”

STELLA and CHARLES
Cleanliness Custodians, USA

July 1st, 2022

Heera Alaya: Do you both work together?

Stella: [moving swiftly, pausing to talk to me briefly] Most of the time, Charles and I are together from the morning until the end of the day. We are a good team. And Charles is like my family.

What job are you both performing this morning?

Charles: Sanitation work.

Your job is physically demanding.

Stella: It is [demanding]. Sometimes, we have to push heavy containers. Other times, we have to manoeuvre heavy, oddly shaped objects. And we also have to deal with small animals running all over the place, making us go back and forth. A sanitation worker’s job is like going to the gym every day.

On my day off, I love staying home, relaxing, listening to music, and tending my garden.

How do you protect yourselves from contamination? 

Stella: I disinfect everything and clean my truck every day. I use hand sanitiser all the time and wear two sets of gloves. I wash with Clorox every day and try to stay as careful as possible.

What is the right way to place trash outside?

Charles: Separate the trash.

Stella: Use proper bags (of the right size), tie the trash bags tightly and leave them out in the assigned space

What is the most challenging aspect of being a sanitation worker?

Stella: People.

[Laugh] Interesting. I would have thought it would be the garbage or the rats, but you say it’s people.

People in this area are mean; they want to avoid acknowledging the difficulty of navigating narrow alleys and keep us stuck by not making room for us to move.

I concur—people, it is [the main problem].

Why should we value and respect sanitation workers?

Stella: All jobs are important. Without us, this city will be very contaminated with trash and waste.

Charles: Health and cleanliness go together.

This garbage truck is an impressive commercial vehicle. Who is the driver?

[Beaming with pride] Charles: Stella is driving.

Stella, you go, girl.

Stella: Thank you. I have been driving this truck for three years. Before my current job as a sanitation worker, I was a school bus driver for 17 years.

And how fabulous it is that you are wearing makeup!

Stella: [Her face lighting up] Oh! Thank you. Even when women work hard, we must always be like women.

Stella, you are an inspiration. What shapes your mindset?

I have two kids in college, and I am motivated to do what I can. I wake up positive every morning: “Keep going, Stella, keep going. Today is another day.” If I can do it, anyone can.

Stella and Charles, you both are rock stars. Thank you so much for ensuring we have clean environments.

Stella: You are welcome. Thank you.

Charles: Thank you. Take care.

President, Farm Sanctuary, USA