MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

We are not safe even in a Church

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Dear MyPE

I am a widow and am 71 years old. I have an adopted African son and I have been a Volunteer for over 20 years within the South African community. On Saturday 27th July I was in St Hughs Church in Newton Park sorting the many donations given by the Parishioners for Babies and Toddlers which were to be blessed at the Service on Sunday 29th July and then given out to the needy in the Port Elizabeth area. This was shortly after a funeral which had taken place that afternoon.

Two African women came into the church and were taking an interest in all the baby clothes. One of these ladies was 8 months pregnant and dressed very smartly in white. The other older larger lady who sat on the pew seat was dressed in dark colours and had curly hair. My handbag was on the pew seat in front of her. Within a few minutes they made a hasty exit from the church and I discovered my purse had been taken out of my bag. A withdrawal was made from my account in the area of Beetlestone Spar before I had time to cancel my cards.

I know I was foolish to believe I was safe from crime within a Church. My Bank Cards have now been blocked but what cannot be replaced, and what breaks my heart, are the photos in my purse – a wedding photo of my husband who died last year, photos of my son when he was young, a little lucky pixie from my brother in Australia and a little silver cross – all of these small mementos precious only to me will no doubt end up on a tip or in bushes never to be seen again.

I know it is pointless appealing to these heartless people and they will not stop me from helping others in real need , but maybe someone somewhere will find these little mementos and think of me.

 

Regards
Angela Talbot

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Port Elizabethan

This author is a 'catch-all' for occasional articles and letters written to MyPE. The Author of each article can be found in the signature at the bottom of each individual article.