Over 250 Christian families have been freed from bonded labour after efforts by Barnabas Fund, the charity reported in July.
About 1,435 Pakistanis were set free from living like slaves.
One man helped was Sadeeq Masih, who earned a living making bricks with the help of his wife and his older sons. It was back-breaking labour, under a sweltering sun, but even together they could not earn quite enough to feed and care for the family of seven.
There was not enough money for any of the children to go to school. Sometimes they had to borrow from the brick-kiln owner, who then deducted from their wages to pay the interest on their loan. It got worse and worse. As long as they had the debt they were bonded labourers, tied to the brick-kiln and unable to leave.
Redeemed
Sadeeq heard that Barnabas Fund would pay the family debt and set them all free. It was hard to believe, but finally it happened. ‘That day was the most miraculous and joyful moment of my and our family’s life,’ said Sadeeq. Later he explained to his Muslim supervisor at work: ‘My Lord has released us from our debt.’
Another worker, Afzal, said his ‘eyes were filled with tears’ when he heard his loan was to be paid off.
Barnabas Fund is raising money to free a further 100 families. The charity frees families by clearing their debts. The amount of debt ranges from £445 to £2,078.
