Homeless 41-year-old passes undertaker exam in Brazil
Valter, 41, who experienced homelessness, studied for four months on park benches and passed the undertaker exam in Brazil. A job nobody wants.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
From sleeping on the streets to passing the undertaker exam
In Brazil, the job nobody wants—digging graves—has become a kind of social elevator. Valter, 41, had been experiencing homelessness for years; he studied for four months on park benches and passed the competitive exam for undertaker.“I believed in my potential,” he summarizes. He aspires to own a home and start a family.
Who Valter is and the exam he passed
Valter is a 41-year-old Brazilian who lived on the streets for years. He prepared for and passed the exam while sitting on park benches. The destination of the post is not inspiring: undertaker. The news, reported by La Razón, has sparked interest in a profession with almost no appeal and serves to measure how far someone can rise when they finally have time.
Why an undertaker becomes news
Digging graves is not a desired destination in a country with over 30,000 homicides annually, which guarantees work but confirms the stigma of the profession. This scene has a historical precedent: in 1950s Spain, nobody wanted the job, and it was common to hear of those who “got less than the janitor.” The fundamental difference, however, is Valter's starting point.
Doubts about the process and access
Some question the integrity of the public competition (it is suggested there might have been foul play, though no proof exists), and others debate whether a foreigner can hold office or if Brazil even has such a labor role as conceived in Spain. According to the information published, access was gained by passing a public competition. The rest are suspicions, not facts.
The uncomfortable question remains: how many Valters are still waiting for a park bench and a post that no one else wants?
In Brazil, the job nobody wants—digging graves—has become a kind of social elevator. Valter, 41, had been experiencing homelessness for years; he studied for four months on park benches and passed the competitive exam for undertaker.“I believed in my potential,” he summarizes. He aspires to own a home and start a family.
Who Valter is and the exam he passed
Valter is a 41-year-old Brazilian who lived on the streets for years. He prepared for and passed the exam while sitting on park benches. The destination of the post is not inspiring: undertaker. The news, reported by La Razón, has sparked interest in a profession with almost no appeal and serves to measure how far someone can rise when they finally have time.
Why an undertaker becomes news
Digging graves is not a desired destination in a country with over 30,000 homicides annually, which guarantees work but confirms the stigma of the profession. This scene has a historical precedent: in 1950s Spain, nobody wanted the job, and it was common to hear of those who “got less than the janitor.” The fundamental difference, however, is Valter's starting point.
Doubts about the process and access
Some question the integrity of the public competition (it is suggested there might have been foul play, though no proof exists), and others debate whether a foreigner can hold office or if Brazil even has such a labor role as conceived in Spain. According to the information published, access was gained by passing a public competition. The rest are suspicions, not facts.
The uncomfortable question remains: how many Valters are still waiting for a park bench and a post that no one else wants?
Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (47 replies).
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