‘You’re the Reason I Come to Hodgdon’

From the moment I swipe in for my shift, I stay focused so I can do my best for our customers. I’m mostly at the register at Hodgdon, where we have high volumes of students. Interacting with customers while bearing in mind they have a tight schedule—I do that to the best of my ability. When I ring somebody up, I greet them, ask how they are doing, and that’s the mode I’m in from the start of my shift until the end, no matter how tired I might be. I want to give students that warm environment while they are away from home.

I really appreciate the Tufts community. The students let me know my efforts are not in vain. I get comments like, ‘Idah, you make my day every day when I come here.’ Or some will say, “Idah, you’re the reason I come to Hodgdon! It’s just to see you smile.” Even though I have a mask on, they can tell I am smiling.

Being efficient and warm is a skill I acquired because I was a teacher by profession back home in Zimbabwe. I came to the U.S. with my husband and family as refugees and got the job at Tufts about 10 years ago.

In Zimbabwe, I was a teacher for clothing technology and a fashion designer. When I’m home, during my spare time, that’s what I do: sew clothing. I make clothes for my church members, for my family, and to exhibit at African festivals. It’s my passion.

Sometimes people ask me where I get my energy: “How come you are always positive?” I tell them it’s because of what I went through in my past to come to the U.S. I’m also a cancer survivor. I appreciate every moment, every second.

I’m a person who just really enjoys working with students. Our community is so diverse, with students from all over the world. I learn a lot, interacting with them. Tufts is just a nice place to be.

Idah Duche is a service attendant at the Hodgdon Food-on-the-Run dining facility on the university’s Medford/Somerville campus.

Our Tufts is a series of personal stories shared by members of the Tufts community and featured on both Tufts Now and Instagram.