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I Can’t Stay away from the Dead, Kenyan Woman Confesses
Twenty six year-old Alice Awuor Omito from Migori has shocked many after confessing that preparing the dead for burial is the one thing that makes her happy.
The employee of Rosewood Funeral Home in Rongo, Migori County said that she dropped out of nursing school after fears that she would not secure employment after school.
The mortician began working as a morgue attendant at Star Mortuary in Kisumu two years ago, aged 24 before transferring to Rosewood in Rongo and says that she can’t imagine being away from the dead.
“I enjoy spending a better part of my working days with the dead. I can’t imagine staying away from them even for a single working day. I have to go and look at the bodies stored in freezers daily,” she said.
“I discontinued my studies in nursing and pursued mortuary science because of available job opportunities in the latter field. I don’t regret changing professions, not one bit,” Awuor added.
She narrated her journey to being a female in a male dominated field, adding that she has come to love her job, and would not substitute it for another.
“When I was new in this job I had fears and challenges handling the dead, but now I enjoy every bit of my work. I adapted so fast and I am comfortable,” she says.
The mother of one however disclosed the challenges that come with being a mortician, confessing that it has not been a smooth ride for her.
“My boyfriend recently dumped me when I told him that I work as a morgue attendant. Discrimination is just one of the several challenges I face for being a mortician. The challenges are normal though. No job is immune to challenges regardless its nature,” says Awuor.
She revealed why marriage would be her last thing: “I fear my partner would dump me once he gets to know about my job. I don’t want to go through the same experience again.”
