How could you develop the sense of value and honor to a person who is systematically devalued, prejudiced against and laughed at and discriminated? The sense of worth is essential for a healthy human development. You may not have money, lands, academic titles, etc; but if you have a sense of worth you could accomplish many things, feel proud of yourself, know whom you are and actually feel satisfied with your life.

But not when you are an indigenous person. Olivia is the daughter of a pastor. She is a Mazahua Christian woman. Olivia finished her high school but has been unable to continue studying due to the needs of the family. She works as a maid in a house at Mexico City. She receives 80 dollars a week for cleaning the house, washing and ironing clothes, caring for children, attending the members of the family, etc, etc, etc.

Now, several weeks ago the cook left the house and the mistress asked Olivia to cook to "help" her out while she found another cook. Olivia with a heart of gold started cooking for the lady, her family and some workers that the family had at the house. One time the lunch was not on time because Olivia has not finished with her other duties. The workers complained to the lady of the house and she called Olivia. She told Olivia in a bad tempered way to have the lunch ready on time and to do her tasks with responsibility. To this Olivia became upset (I would have too) and reminded the lady that this was a temporary agreement, that she had no time to do all of her tasks and also do lunch. She also told the lady that she was doing two jobs but was being pay for one. Then the lady became upset and told Olivia that if she did not want the job she could just go, that there were hundreds that could take her job and that she would not find a place to go or a job in the city. To this Olivia responded that she could certainly and easily find another job, because she was an intelligent woman and that she had her aunt to care for her. Pushing things to the edge, Olivia also asked for her payment and told the lady: "I will gather my things and wait at my room for the payment." She left. Two hours went by and at last Olivia went to the lady and asked for her salary. To this the lady told her (in a different mood of course)! "Olivia you certainly have a strong character! Let's forget all this and go back to your work." "Oh no," said Olivia, "if you want me to stay doing two jobs, then pay me for both." To the pleading of the lady to not let her go, Olivia said "I give you two days to find a cook." That's the end of the story!

Amazing!!! Isn't it!!! That a girl could defend her rights in such a way is certainly outstanding given the circumstances of discrimination, abuse and oppression these ladies go through. Olivia knows her worth. She and her family hold fast to one of the lessons sustaining our work with indigenous people – "created in the image and likeness of God." Thus, to be proud of their ancestry, to know their languages and culture and to fight for their rights are all part of the indigenous urban work we do with indigenous women working as maids.