Because you’re worth it

Deaths
Sadly here in Sicily, some human life doesn’t seem to be worth much at all. Just a few months ago, two illegal immigrants from Ghana, who had attended the Italian lessons at another local church, died in their sleep.

They had inhaled toxic fumes from a faulty gas heater which they had kept on all night to keep warm. Abdellah was just 18 years old and his friend Abu was 20.

They had only recently been granted permission to stay in Sicily. Awaiting permits, they were working illegally for long hours each day, with little job security and next to no wages. The two boys found themselves a cheap place to rent in a house that was affordable only because it was unfinished and without windows or doors.

Desperation
It had been built illegally on land not even belonging to the unscrupulous and unofficial landlord. For him there will be no punishment for failing to protect them whilst profiting from their desperation.

In an effort to keep the cold out, the boys had sealed themselves into their room by putting plastic bags over the gaping window frames and doors and in so doing also sealed their tragic fate.

Their bodies lay in the morgue here at Syracuse waiting for the authorities to contact their families back in Africa. Most likely they have loved ones who had high hopes for these young men who risked so much to escape the poverty and war at home.

But it seems that these illegal immigrants are made to feel that actually they’re not worth it. They have no rights, they are not Italian citizens, so all too often they are ignored, abused or exploited.