The poor stealing from the poor

Zoppos bakery owner says "nomnomnom"

I have a Sri Lankan friend in Cyprus who converted from Buddhism to Catholicism last year.  Let's call her Nirmala. 

She is 51 years old and works 8-10 hours a day for one of the major bakery chains of Cyprus, slaving over hot ovens all day, producing those savoury pastries like koupes and tiropites that the middle classes of Cyprus like to scoff at parties. 

Nirmala has no lunch break.  She is not allowed to sit down while she works (she suffers with arthritis in the knees).  She has few days off in a year.  Not even public holidays, as those tend to be the busiest times for the catering trade.  Her boss recently slashed wages for all the factory staff, citing “the economic crisis”, but increased their working hours.  The choices were: “take it or lose your job”. 

Nirmala lives in a village on the outskirts of Larnaca and for some time had to change 3 buses to get to work.  She gets up at 5 a.m. six days a week.  She sends most of her wages to her family in Sri Lanka, with the aim of building a habitable shelter for her adult children and grand children.  I have been to their house in Columbo.  They have no electricity, glass windows, or doors and very little furniture.  But they are a loving and united family. 

Last Saturday, Nirmala’s home in Cyprus was burgled.  

Her few valuables – a digital camera, some jewellery – are gone.  She called me in tears saying:  “I have nothing left for my children.”

She spent 2 hours on a Sunday morning at the police station waiting to see someone to report the theft.  Eventually she was told that some police officers would visit her house to take photos and forensic evidence and file a statement.  As at 2 p.m. yesterday, no one had turned up.  Lunch time.  

Added 7/10/13 - the police did eventually visit Nirmala's house last week, for about 5 minutes, she said.  They didn't take fingerprints/photos or a written statement, but told her to "forget about it".  They said she had probably left her front door open while she was out.  

We beg you, Lord, to help and defend us.  Deliver the oppressed, pity those who count for little in the world, raise the fallen, show yourself to the needy, heal the sick, bring back those of your people who have gone astray, feed the hungry, lift up the weak, set prisoners free.  May all nations come to know that you alone are God, that Jesus Christ is your child, that we are your people, the sheep of your pasture.  Amen.

- Saint Clement of Rome