"I Was Paid to be a Statue," Five People Talk About the Oddest Jobs They Have Ever Taken

Making money can involve doing things you never imagined yourself doing. From handling dead bodies to collecting bus fares and feeding crocodiles, some people have taken on jobs that are anything but ordinary.

We asked five Africans about some of the strangest jobs they have ever done and here are their stories.

Kwame, Ghana: I Worked in a Mortuary

I never imagined I would end up working in a mortuary. It wasn't something I had planned, but I needed the money, and an opportunity came up.

My responsibilities included cleaning the facility, helping prepare bodies and assisting with other duties. The first few days were difficult because I had never been comfortable around dead bodies, even at funerals. Now, I had to work around them every day.

Eventually, I got used to the environment, although I don't think you ever completely get comfortable with a job like that.

The experience also changed how I see life. When you work in a mortuary, you're constantly reminded of how unpredictable life can be. You also develop a different appreciation for the people who help families say goodbye to their loved ones.

Chinedu, Nigeria: I Was a Bus Conductor in Lagos

I became a bus conductor because I needed money. At the time, I wasn't thinking about whether the job was prestigious or what people would say. I just wanted to earn a living.

My day involved calling out destinations, convincing passengers to enter the bus, collecting fares and making sure everybody paid. But being a conductor is more than shouting bus stops and collecting money.

You have to deal with passengers who argue about fares, people who insist they've given you money you never received and others who suddenly don't have change.

The most exhausting part was shouting destinations, especially on busy Lagos roads. By midday, my voice would already be tired.

It wasn't an easy job, but it taught me how to deal with different kinds of people and think quickly under pressure.

Brian, Kenya: I Was Paid to be a Statue

I know it sounds strange, but I once made money by standing still like a statue in public spaces.

I got into street performance because I was looking for an unconventional way to earn money. I had seen people dressed up as statues, attracting tourists and passers-by who paid to take pictures with them.

The job sounded simple: put on a costume, find a busy spot and stand still. But standing still for hours is harder than it looks.

Children would wave at me, some people would deliberately try to scare me, and others would take pictures without leaving a tip. The heat was another problem, especially when I had to wear a heavy costume.

Still, whenever someone dropped money into my collection box, it made the waiting worthwhile. It was definitely one of the strangest ways I've ever earned a living.

Sarah, Uganda: I Was Paid to Cry at Funerals

Most people attend funerals because they've lost someone they love. I once attended them because I was being paid to mourn.

I worked as a professional mourner. Families hired people like me to attend funerals, sing funeral songs, cry and help create an atmosphere of grief and support.

I first heard about the job through someone who knew people in the funeral business. At first, I thought it was a joke. Who gets paid to cry at somebody else's funeral?

But it was real, and people were willing to pay for it.

The strangest part was mourning people I had never met. You could be standing beside a family grieving the loss of a loved one, trying to express emotions for someone whose name you had only just learnt.

It was an unusual experience, but it taught me that people sometimes need company and support during difficult moments, even from strangers.

Tawanda, Zimbabwe: I Worked on a Crocodile Farm

I've had jobs that required me to wake up early and work long hours, but nothing prepared me for working on a crocodile farm.

I got the job because I needed work, and although I knew crocodiles were dangerous, I didn't fully understand what being around them every day would involve.

My responsibilities included helping to feed them, cleaning their enclosures and assisting with their general care.

Feeding time was easily the most frightening part. These animals could look completely motionless, then suddenly move with incredible speed when food was introduced. You had to follow instructions carefully and never become too comfortable around them.

The cleaning wasn't particularly pleasant either. It wasn't exactly the kind of environment most people would volunteer to work in.

Would I do it again? I'm not sure. But I can confidently say that I will never look at a crocodile the same way again.