Robbery Update

It’s been more than four weeks since I was robbed in the middle of the night and I thought I’d share what’s happened since. There was a period where it seemed like the police were doing nothing, but about two weeks ago, we started to get promising information. Several times, we were informed about people being arrested who were involved in the crime. Hope that my things would be returned started to increase. However, as time went on, the police stories started sounding more and more alike: “We’ve caught someone. They know where your computer is. We just need two days to go get them.” Then two days later we would go back and the story would be the same, except it would be a different person that they caught. Some of my friends here say that the police are very corrupt and will not do anything about it unless I bribe them. Others say they are working very hard. I’m not sure what to believe. I have contacted the Canadian High Commission and I think I will get them to make an inquiry on my behalf next week – if I can get the police officer’s name and number that is.

As for how I’m doing without my things, the answer is quite well. Yes, I miss being able to read my own books, or use my own computer, but for the moment I have found alternatives (YCI has many books I can borrow, and I have use of their computer with which to type emails and blog entries, etc.) I’m not sure what I will do about that once my volunteering is over and my traveling begins. I have replaced what I need to replace so far and am going to replace other things when they are needed (for example, my travel books which were to help guide me on my trip).

I have also had some good news from home. Many of my items are covered under my insurance with Mastercard. Since many of the things were stolen recently, I will likely be able to be compensated (at least financially) for the things I lost. Luckily for me, this also includes my computer.

I hope to be able to dedicate a third post to this topic (if/when the police are successful), but I am not holding my breath. This was a difficult thing to deal with (especially so early into my trip and not having even read many of the books that were taken), but I have survived and when I go home, everything will be replaceable. That’s the important thing – though I definitely would be happy to get a call from the police saying they need me to come in and identify my things.