A woman in contradiction to the generally known norm has defied tradition and embraced her work as a mortuary attendant, much to the amazement of many.
Whereas it is a common adage among the Luo community that ‘tich en tich’ loosely translated means ‘Work is Work’ but there are certain jobs that have traditionally been viewed as belonging to men while certain others belong to women, which has in many ways relegated women to the periphery in matters of development.
But the modern woman is that one with no limits, taking up jobs even those traditionally viewed as for men.
Christine Otieno is one such exemplary woman who works as a mortuary attendant at Star Mortuary in Kisumu, a job she has passionately discharged for 38 years, and she divulges on why she chose this job and whether her family approves of it.
“My name is Christine Otieno, and I am a resident of a car wash in Kisumu and, by profession, a mortuary attendant, and it’s a job I have held for the last 38 years, “says Christine.
Christine reveals that her journey as a mortuary attendant began when a lady friend of hers passed away, but she wasn’t properly taken care of at the morgue, which made her decide to learn the art of taking care of the deceased bodies so she could give such a befitting last respect.
She reveals that the incident saw her make up her mind while still a young girl right in form three to be a mortuary attendant so she could properly give the dead a befitting treatment before they are buried.
She, however, points out that her decision wasn’t welcomed by many, including her friends, some of whom took her for a checkup in mental facilities, believing she was running mad.
But Christine is grateful to her aunt, who supported her career choice, even as she confesses that her work as a mortuary attendant has made her meet many important people, but more importantly, it doesn’t make her come into loggerheads with anybody, hence her love for her job.
She also points out that the job has also given her an opportunity to train many other new mortuary attendants who are now experts at the job.
She, however, notes that no job can be without a challenge and points to the major challenge of her job as not being provided with the requisite materials to enable her to professionally discharge her duties.
She encourages girls and women to embrace any job that comes their way, especially in the current dispensation where one has no choice of work.
By Milton Onyango
