Carmina is my 68 year old Spanish cleaner. She comes once a week and takes great pride in her work. And she’s quite the philosopher.
Today she told me over coffee, ‘You know, some people see me as ‘just a cleaner’ but I think my work is important.
When I clean your apartment, you can come home from work and spend time at the weekend relaxing with your husband in a nice environment. And at night you will get into a clean, crisp bed and sleep well and revitalise yourself. You know everything has been properly cleaned in the kitchen so when you cook you don’t risk getting sick and having to take time off. And when you travel, I wash and iron your clothes so when you need to leave again a few days later, there is no stress.
And then, all these things add up to you doing better work, helping more people and having a happier more balanced life’.
Here’s to all the Carminas. Everyone has their part to play. Nobody is ‘just’ anything or ‘less than’. We are all equally important as part of the bigger picture.
