Low wages, high spirits
November 7, 2014
Terrance Menieflu laughs about his age. Although he isn’t completely satisfied with his wages, Terrence maintains a positive outlook.
Terrance Menieflu, a custodial worker in his late fifties, has been working at the National Zoo for over 30 years, so for him, the recent protests are barely a blip on the radar.
“Well I guess, you know, people got families and they need more money so they gotta survive for their family,” Menieflu said. “There’s not nothing wrong with that.” He laughs. “I don’t have no problems with protesting. I’m too old to protest.”
Meinieflu, a tall, heavyset man in a nondescript navy jacket and dark green beanie, enjoys having been employed at the zoo for the past few decades. “Seeing people, doing work, I have a good study on the zoo and it’s great to be here,” he said. “I love my work.”
Still, he acknowledges that, as the sole breadwinner in his family, his pay is not ideal. “It could be better,” he said. “That’s why I go out and vote. I go out and vote for people that really want to give us our pay.”
Despite his personal dissatisfactions, Menieflu keeps his focus on being grateful for what he has. “Making more money, that’s good, but I’m blessed–we’re all blessed,” he said. “We ain’t on the other side. On the other side, some people don’t have no shoes, no clothes, no nothing.”
Of all the things in his life, Menieflu is the most thankful for his job. “I’m thankful for being here for over 30 something years. It’s a good thing to be in here,” he said. “I think this zoo here is good for everybody.”