“Afternoon of Gratitude”: The CLM Cali celebrates the work of domestic service workers
In the first days of October, the Christian Life Movement (CLM) in the city of Cali held the “Afternoon of Gratitude,” an event that has been recognizing and valuing the work of domestic service workers in Cali homes for 16 years. This tribute aims to highlight the important role they play in daily life by providing a space for celebration and appreciation.
Participants in the Afternoon of Gratitude.
Recognizing invaluable work
Olga Chamat, a member of the organizing team, shared how this initiative came about: “The afternoon of gratitude was born from a desire we had to pay tribute to the people who work in domestic service, who help us in our homes and make each of our days easier.”
The event, which began with forty attendees, has grown over the years, bringing together 370 workers in this latest edition. According to Olga, it is a day when the workers stop being servers and become the main characters, receiving attention and gratitude for their work.
Participants in the Afternoon of Gratitude.
Testimonies of gratitude and emotion
One of the attendees expressed her gratitude for the experience: “It was a very pleasant afternoon, full of many surprises. It’s like stepping out of the work environment, arriving there and seeing everything they have prepared, and you feel extremely well.” She also commented on how the activity strengthens the bonds between workers and their employers: “It makes you appreciate your work and your employer more, it creates many bonds between you as an employee and the people you work for”.
Another participant highlighted the emotional impact the event had on her: “I felt a chill when I entered. And those words of gratitude they said to us were very gratifying. We felt that they recognized a job that people sometimes don’t value”.
Participants in the Afternoon of Gratitude.
Dignifying through recognition
Olga emphasized that the purpose of this activity is to dignify domestic work, a labor that often doesn’t receive the recognition it deserves. “That day we try to make them feel our love, all day we tell them how important they are to us, how important they are at home. We try to dignify what they do“, she explained.
She also noted that the event has become a special date for the workers, who look forward to it each year with enthusiasm. This 2024, the “Afternoon of Gratitude” also included special prizes such as airline tickets and home appliances.