Barnabas Aid is delighted to free a further 100 Christian families from bonded labor in the brick kilns of Pakistan.
This is the 23rd phase of our project to clear the debts of Christian brick kiln workers who have been forced by poverty and circumstance to accept loans from the brick kiln owners.
The indebted Christians are then trapped, unable to leave the brick kilns where they work in difficult and dangerous conditions. Their debt – and therefore even they themselves – can even be sold to another brick kiln owner as though they were slaves.
Javed and his family are among 100 Christian families who have been freed by Barnabas Aid from bonded labor in Pakistan’s brick kilns.
“Since the people of God have cleared my unbearable debts I am now free to leave brick kiln slavery and find a better future for my children,” said one of the grateful recipients.
“Millions of thanks to God and Barnabas Aid for this miracle in my life.”
“I have long prayed for this day and the help I needed,” said another. “I am incredibly grateful to God for this miraculous turnaround!”
When faced with an emergency or illness, the only option for desperately impoverished brick kiln workers is to take a loan from the brick kiln owner.
Until the debt is repaid, they become trapped and are unable to seek out another job. They cannot pay off their debt, as money is deducted from their wages to pay the interest. It becomes impossible for them to pay off the loan in full.
Praise the Lord for this opportunity to free His people from bonded labor. Ask that He will continue to bless these families, that their lives will improve, and that they will continue to love and serve Him. Pray for the continuing success of the Barnabas loan repayment project.
