A sanitation worker who just loves her job

OCHO RIOS, St Ann — For 25 years, Cherry Williams has been employed at the Dunn’s River Water Falls and Park in St Ann as a sanitation officer, a job she has carried out with dignity and pride, and one that she has no regrets about.

According to Williams, no job should be looked down on, as long as it is providing an honest means of making a living, and so she is not afraid to let people know that she is a sanitation officer.

“My job is one of the greatest jobs,” Williams told the Jamaica Observer in an interview, insisting that her job is as important as any other.

“Anyone want to look down on my job is their business, but I love my job,” she said during a recent interview.

Williams said that through her job, she has been able to accomplish many things, among them owning a home.

“Whatever I have is what I do that give it to me,” Williams stated.

“I never have a house and I have one now,” she added.

Williams, who started out at the attraction in 1988, has not only maintained an unbroken service, but has earned the respect of fellow workers and members of the public.

She explained that she landed the job after the person who served in that capacity quit after someone spoke to her in a derogatory manner about her job.

Now, as a veteran sanitation officer, there is nothing that anyone can say to make Williams dislike her job.

“I do my work to the best of my ability,” she told the Sunday Observer, firmly putting forward that view as one of the reasons that has kept her in the job for all these years.

The mother of four and wife said that apart from enjoying what she does, getting positive feedback from guests at the Dunn’s River Water Falls and Park is a big motivation for her.

Her role as a sanitation officer is to ensure that the restrooms and gazebos are kept clean and tidy.

Williams said that a part of her job that she enjoys is interacting with visitors to the facility.

“I love to rap with the guests; I love to help the guests,” she remarked.

She particularly loves when visitors to the attraction are satisfied with the condition of the restrooms.

Williams, who has received several awards over the years, said that she has found her job to be rewarding.

“I find my job very rewarding, especially when the guests appreciate your work,” she stated.

The God-fearing Williams, who is a missionary with the United Lifeline Deliverance Church of God in St Ann’s Bay, is also admired by co-workers who often make use of her highly regarded counselling skills in addressing personal issues.

Although not a trained counsellor, Williams is known for giving wise advice and much of her time outside of her work hours are spent helping people to deal with different situations.

“I love to counsel people; I love to encourage young people,” she said.

Recognising her love to serve others and to provide good advice, her co-workers usually go to her whenever they have problems.

Veronica DaCosta, one of Williams’ co-workers, sung high praises for the 57-year-old woman.

“Ms Cherry is a very nice lady; when we down, we run to Ms Cherry. You can run to Ms Cherry for help,” said DaCosta.

She explained that Williams would not only offer prayer and advice, but if she was in the position to, she would also provide financial support.

Williams, who is from St Catherine, but who lives in Lime Hall, St Ann, is also known to counsel parents of children who misbehave. She also counsels the children, often making a positive impact.

Williams said that she finds counselling rewarding, as she often receives positive responses.

Service for the sanitation officer does not stop there. She also makes it her duty to help the less fortunate in whatever way that he can.

“I like to help out the needy,” she said.

During this festive season, in spite of the economic challenges that she faced, Williams still sought to do what was possible to brighten the holidays for some.

“Things never so bright but the least you do for Jesus is precious in his sight,” she said.

With that belief, Williams intends to continue serving others in whatever way that she can, which includes being the best sanitation officer possible.