Milton Works
            Because We Do
Interviews and Photographs by Sara Pulit, Mai Ann Healy, and Siobhan Atkins

Altagracia Gomez
Flik Food Services

I wake up at 4:45 each morning. I take a shower, have some coffee, and then at 5:30, I leave my house. I get here at 6:00. I work for eight hours each day. I help all around the cafeteria- setting up the fruit, the plates, cleaning the tables, setting up the coffee, anything that needs to get done. I work Monday through Friday.

When I get home after work, I rest for a little bit if I’m tired. Sometimes I watch television. Then I eat dinner and if I have to clean clothes or something, I do it. There are nights when I sleep well and some nights when I don’t. I go to bed early because I have to get up early.

I’m home on the weekends. I go to the store on Saturday. And on Sunday I go to church and clean the house.

I’ve been working here for about three and a half years. Generally, I feel good. Sometimes, when I’ve been on my feet all day, I feel a little tired.

I’m from Santo Domingo. I came here in 1978. I’m happy here because my daughter is here. My mother is in Santo Domingo. I’m accustomed to being here and I like it. And my daughter and grandchildren are here. I don’t have a husband. I have one daughter and she’s married. And she has three children- one girl and two boys.

There are more opportunities here than in my country because my country is poor. I love my country but I’m happy here and want to stay.

I’ve met some students while I work. They love me and I love them. Some give me hugs. They are very good, very friendly. And the teachers are the same way