Kisumu
Monday, June 3, 2024
KNA by Milton Onyango
A woman in contradiction to the generally known norm has defied tradition and embraced her work of being a mortuary attendant to the amazement of many.
Whereas it is a common adage among the Luo community that ‘tich en tich’ loosely translated meaning ‘Work is Work’ but there are certain jobs that have traditionally been viewed as belonging to men while certain others women which has in many ways relegated women to the periphery in matters development.
But the modern woman is that one with no limits taking up jobs even those traditionally viewed to be for men.
Christine Otieno is one such exemplary women who works as a mortuary attendant at Star Mortuary in Kisumu, a job she has passionately discharged for now 38 years and she divulges on why she chose this job and whether her family approves of her job.
“My name is Christine Otieno and am a resident of 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 on but she wasn’t properly taken care of at the morgue that 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 that her decision wasn’t welcomed by many including her friends some of whom took her for 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 very 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 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 professionally discharge her duties forcing her many a times to dig into her pocket.
She thus encourages girls and women not to despise the work of being a mortuary attendant especially in the present dispensation where one has no choice of the work, they can do hence encourage the girls and the womenfolk not to be choosy of the work they can do but embrace any job that come their way.
Courtesy: KNA