Breaking the Debt Cycle – Christian Brick Kiln Workers – Pakistan
Life is not bed of roses for mankind but especially for those people who work on daily wages and live their lives under debt pressure. There are number of reasons of mental stress but debt is one of most big one issue who made cause of metal stress. Hardship is a situation in which your life is difficult or unpleasant, often because you do not have enough money. This is same situation in Pakistan with brick kiln workers. There are around 20,000 brick kilns in Pakistan. Many are located around urban areas. In Pakistan, brickmaking is one of the most important building materials industries employing about 10 million people directly and indirectly. However, an estimated two million children also work for up to 14 hours a day, six days a week in brickmaking kilns, lacking basic rights and access to social security. Pakistan is among the few countries in the world where slavery in the form of bonded labour exists even in the 21stcentury.
On an average, an entire family, comprising four members—husband, wife and two children aged between 6 to 12 years—can make 1,000 to 1,500 bricks a day. They often work five days a week with one weekly holiday, followed by a day wasted in making mud for the next day`s work.
Kiln workers are shelter-less, poor people, and a majority of them stay on the kiln site along with their families in small one-room quarters without any basic facilities. “There is no concept of toilets on the kiln sites; even women have to go to nearby fields to relieve themselves
The nominal remuneration, earned through piece-rate work, is the primary reason for debt bondage in brick kilns. The loans taken to meet social event expenses (such as for the wedding or funeral of a family member) and regular credit to meet daily subsistence increases the outstanding amount; therefore, the workers are not able to clear their debts with such meagre earnings.
We are very thankful to our Saviour Lord Jesus Christ who made possible and released 900 Christian families by the support of Barnabas Fund from the districts of Lahore, Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib. It was not easy task but by the grace of God, Barnabas Fund chased the target by Peace Ambassadors Society. May God bless Barnabas Fund.
Challenges:
Thank God this project went very well by the grace of God and cooperation with local partners. It was not easy task to reach the un-reach beneficiaries. Thank God who made possible.
There were few challenges which we faced some time:
- Sometime Brick kiln owners refused to meeting with us for the reason that they understand if we pay the loan of brick kiln workers, may be they leave them and in this way their business will be disturbed but thank God we convinced them very wisely.
- Travel to remote and brick kiln areas was the big challenge especially in winter, rainy and foggy season.
- During cheques distribution mostly other brick kiln families contacted with us and requested for the same help. We listened their problems and satisfied them as per our project policies and also pray for them.
- Security wise, this is safe and sound by the grace of God.
Outcome:
- Every month we conduct advocacy meetings for beneficiary’s family heads (Husband & Wife) where we provide information how to manage household expenses and of course spiritual growth.
- Beneficiaries go to local church regularly with their families.
Loan Repayment Testimonies
My name is Riaz Masih. I am 50 years old. I work at the kiln of Talib Hussain. My wife Suriyya Bibi works with me. I have been working at the kiln for almost 40 years. At first my father was working here, I began to help my father at the brick kiln from very young age. My father had taken loan him that the was my responsibility to pay back. When I got married, I had to borrow some amount for the arrangements and in this way the debt money doubled. Some years had passed and then my mother got very sick. Once again I had to get loan from the owner for her treatment. When my mother passed away, there for me. I took some more money from the kiln after even trying my best was not able to pay back the debt. It was really hard for me to have peace of mind because my debt was like a huge mountain which was increasing day by day. Then from somewhere God arranged a source for us. The Barnabas Fund team repaid my loan at the kiln. I am unable to express how I felt when I came to know that now there was no burden of the debt money and interest on me. I thank the whole team of BARNABAS FUND from the care of my heart. I have a son who works with me at the kiln. I hope that from now onwards I would not borrow money and will try to save something for the future of my children. A lot of thanks again to the BARNABAS FUND for their noble need. God bless
My name is Ashfaq Masih. I am 30 years old. I am working at the kiln for last 10 years and My wife helps me in brick making. I have been in inheritance debt. After my marriage because I took loan from the wedding arrangement. I could not pay it back yet and again I had to borrow money for the construction of my house. The house was in a very bad condition and there was no other source from where I could get some help. So the amount of my debt was increased in a very short time – period. I was trying my best to pay back the loan but all in vain. Then I got to know the team of Barnabas Fund thought our pastor. They have paid back all my debt. Now I am relieved from the burden of debt. I am very thankful to God for sending the BARNABAS FUND team for my help. Thanks to all the members of Barnabas Aid. God bless them always.
My name is Imran Masih. I am 26 years old. My wife Kianat and me both are working at brick kiln. I have been working at the kiln for last 16 years. I borrowed money for my wedding expenditures. After that at the birth of my draught, I again took the loan. Even trying harder I could not pay back the debt money in one go. I was worried about it but could not do anything. Then the team of BARNABAS FUND visited us. They have paid all my debt money. I feel relaxed and happy after becoming free from the curse of debt. I am really thankful to God for making this team a source of our help. May God bless the BARNABAS FUND and all team members they are doing a lot for poor people. I have a daughter who is 3 years old. I want to make her a doctor. We are member of local Church and I go to Church every Sunday with my family and prayer for Barnabas Fund and local team work in our area. Thanks again for the great help. God bless BARNABAS AID.
My name is Arif Masih, age 28. My wife Gulshan Bibi is a housewife. I have 2 sons Alvin age 5 and Musa 1 year old. I have been working at the kiln for 10 years. I had an accident in which both my legs were fractured. I had no source of money for this treatment. So, I took a loan from the kiln owner later. I had to borrow money again for the C-section of my wife. I am the only earning member in my family. I could not pay back the loan. The team of Barnabas Fundhas repaid my debt money. I feel as if I have got a new life and feel free to work for my family. Thanks to God and Barnabas Aid. God bless this team more and more. Ameen
My name is Allah Ditta Masih, age 48 years. I have been working at the kiln for 32 years. I have 3 sons who are working with me at the kiln. My wife has passed away. I started working with my father at an early age. I had taken a loan from the kiln which I had to pay when my wife passed away, I took a loan for her funeral. Then at the death of my father once again I borrowed money. In this way, my debt kept on increasing. Later for the wedding of my eldest son I had to take a loan. The Barnabas Fundhas helped us by paying our debt at the kiln. This team is doing really good work because they are helping the burdenstricken workers of the brick kiln. They have freed us from the curse of debt. God bless Barnabas Fundmore and more
My name is Majeed Masih, age 40 I work at Brick kiln of Riyasat Goraya. My wife Irshad Bibi worked with me. I have been working at this Brick kiln for 32 years. My father worked at kiln and I started working with him from my childhood, my father’s debt, which he had taken also came to my credit. Then I borrowed some money for my wedding. In this way, the amount was increased after that I had to get a loan for the funeral of my father. Later, for the construction of my home I was short of money and again borrowed money from the owner. I had no sources to earn more and free myself from the debt. The team of Barnabas Fund has helped us to be free from the curse of debt, they have paid all the loan and interest money.
My name is Mushtaq Masih, age 52. I work at a Brick kiln. My wife robina bibi is working at the kiln with me. My father also worked here he had borrowed money from the kiln. After his death I was the nominee to pay back my father is debt. At his death I also took loan for his funeral. Then I had to arrange for the wedding of my brother and sister again I had to borrow money from the kiln. This had made the debt a huge amount. Soon after that, my mother passed away due to limited earning resource I took loan once again so with the passing of the ears, I could not, but add to the debt because of crucial needs. And the team of Barnabas Fund has paid back all my debt and now we are free from the burden of debt and can do work at some and other place too. We were bound to stay at the kiln because of the debt. Now I am trying to make my children’s future good. Heartiest thanks to Barnabas Fund and all their team members.
It is very difficult to live with family on rental house and other side to cover the house rent expenses from limited salary. I was living in rental house with four children and wife. It was difficult time. My children are growing up and own home was a dream of me and my wife. One day me and my wife decided why not we take loan for our own home from our brick kiln owner. But due to this loan we had to face very critical circumstances when Brick kiln owner started to deduct my wages on monthly basis against my loan and principal amount was still stand there. Our dark period has started which was depressing me and my wife. Due to stress and pressure we were not working well and not achieving our daily target. When Barnabas Fund paid our debt thank God our dark period of life with sleepless nights were finished. Thankfully, I can sleep with free mind and spirit. My daughter Rimsha growing up and me and my wife are saving money for her wedding. May God bless Barnabas Fund. (Waris Sardar)
Loan with interest is a big curse, I realized when I took loan for build my home from my brick kiln owner. As usual owner of brick kiln started to deduct my wages on monthly basis against my loan due to interest principal loan amount was still stand there. My wife was helping me too. I have three children and younger one is heart patient. It was very difficult for me to meet the entire family expense during those days. God is so gracious and I have experienced that through this act of kindness by Barnabas Fund, who approved my loan without any markup and subsequently I paid my all loan amount to the brick kiln owner. Thanks to God, There is no debt, which I need to pay. My son Sahil is a student of class 6 and he wants to become a government officer. (Younas Hadier)
My family consists upon five family members. My wife used to work on brick kiln. I was suffering from the disease of hepatitis and TB. My kids were too little as they could not earn for family. So my wife barrowed loan for my treatment from brick kilns. Our financial conditions were already very bad and after getting loan from brick kiln the family conditions became more severe. Because owner of brick kiln started to deduct my wages on monthly basis against my loan and principal loan amount was still stand there. We prayed daily for our prosperity and waiting for the good days. God is so gracious and I have experience this through this act of kindness by Barnabas Fund. Thanks to God, there is no debt, which I need to pay. Now I am very much relax with my family from financial point of view. I am also recovered from my diseases. So I am very much thankful to all the Barnabas Fund who helped me to get rid from my financial crisis. My two daughters Nida and Aster are studying in class 4th and son Sarang is studying in class three. (Mr. & Mrs. Tariq Saddak)
I have a large family consisting upon two daughters and two sons with my wife, out which my one daughter is married now. I barrowed a loan from brick kiln as advance money, where me and my wife and sons use to go for labor. I barrowed loan for the wedding ceremony of my daughter but due to this loan I had to face very critical circumstances, because owner of brick kiln started to deduct my wages on monthly basis against my loan and principal loan amount was still stand there. Sometime my family members had to face starvations of number of days. My two sons are school going and their educational expenses were also disturbed by that financial crunch. During these circumstances Barnabas Funds team visited me and my family on brick kiln and they approved my loan without any markup and subsequently they paid off my all loan amount to the brick kiln owner, and he also set my son at liberty hence I am very much relax from financial point of view as there is not any kind of deduction from my monthly wages now due to repayment of my first loan to brick kiln owner. We are member the church of Pentecost. Now my kids are going to school. Adnan is in class 6 and Mehak is in class 3. Adnan want to become government officer and daughter want to become teacher. So I am very much thankful to all the Barnabas team who helped me to get rid from my financial difficulties. May God bless Barnabas Fund and local team in Pakistan. (Manzoor Masih)
My family consists upon six family members. My wife used to work on brick kiln. I was suffering from the disease of hepatitis and TB. My kids were too little as they could not earn for family. So my wife barrowed loan for my treatment from brick kilns. Our financial conditions were already very bad and after getting loan from brick kiln the family conditions became more severe. Because owner of brick kiln started to deduct my wages on monthly basis against my loan and principal loan amount was still stand there. Barnabas team visited me and my family and approved my loan without any markup and subsequently I paid my all loan amount to the brick kiln owner, hence we are very much relax from financial point of view. We are member the church of Pentecost Pakistan. I am also recovered from my diseases. My two sons work with me and two daughters Rimsha and Kausar studying in class 7 and 06. Both want to become school teachers. So I am very much thankful to all the Barnabas team who helped me to get rid from my financial crisis.
“I took loan from my Brick Kiln owner to rebuild my house and some amount for the treatment of my disease but with the passage of time it was unmanageable to repay my loan amount in low rate of wages because I can barely feed my family in low wages. In that scenario I was mentally trapped by the stress day by day but now my whole wages to my home and now I can better feed my children because my single rupee is not deducted by the owner of Brick Kiln, my all the debts is paid off by Barnabas Fund and I am very happy for this.” I have five children three daughters and two sons. My elder son is now married and two children are school going. Neha is in class 5 and Qayum is in class 4. Neha want to become Nurse and Qayum want to become school teacher. We are member of Presbyterian Church Walipur Bura. Our prayers and best wishes are with Barnabas Fund. May God bless Barnabas Fund and local team. (Shamaon Masih)
“I inherit my parents’ debts which they borrowed and I became bonded as individual after the death of my parents. My monthly earning is 9000 rupees. I wanted to pay off my debts and become a free man but unfortunately, it was not easy to pay my loan in low salary either pay of my debts or feed my family and I prefer to feed my family. Now, Barnabas Fund has paid off all my debts and I slept well because I don’t have mental stress.” We are member of Presbyterian Church of Pakistan. I could not provide proper education to my three children due to my bad financial condition but now my three children are school going. Ahsan is studying in class two , Sheeza is in class 2 and Mouzam is in class one. Ahsan and Sheeza want to join medical field and Mouzam wants to join Pak Army. Now I will provide better education to my children so they can live good life not in slavery like me. We are very thankful to Barnabas Fund who uplift us in this society, may God bless Barnabas Fund. (Abbas Masih)
It was my desire for my own home and I was struggling for this cause. I had my own land but not proper resource for build it. This was the reason that I took loan from my brick kiln owner. I took out a loan but my life would have been indigestible but thank God Barnabas Fund who stand with me and my family at this difficult time. “I feel myself free like a bird fly in heaven and now I sleep well because I don’t have mental stress, Barnabas Fund has paid off all my debts.” Now my focus is on my children’s education. My son Sameer is in class Nursery. My wife wants to see her son on government officer position and I want to see my daughter in medical field. (Sajawal Masih )
Wife is a beautiful gift of God and sincere life partner. Mothers are always best friends of their daughters. My wife left me alone when my daughters and son was growing up. After death of my wife, I always try my best to become good friends of my children. I have three children one son and two daughters. I took loan for my son’s wedding. But my son live separately with his wife after marriage. Before marriage, we worked together but now he works separately. I was not able to pay my loan in low income. I was in big trouble I have to choice either pay of my debts or feed my daughters and I prefer to feed my daughters. So loan amount was still unpaid and making me upset every time when I work or sleep. I always prayer to my God and ask for help. Now Barnabas Fund has paid off all my debts and I slept well because I don’t have mental stress.” May God bless BARNABAS FUND. (Amanat Masih)
When we walk with God and look to him, now I believe that God open the doors and generate the resources for His people. I spent my whole life in inheritance debt pressure that never goes down. I never thought about my children education but now I can say that I can provide best education to my children. I have four children and all school going. My daughter Reesa is studying in class five, Danish and Yashwa are in class 02. My daughter wants to become school teacher and Danish join police department and Yashwa join Pak Army. “I am thankful to God for all the freedom and now I can feed and take care of my family freely most of all I am free from salivary and mental stress because Barnabas Fund has paid off all my inherit debts.” I am member of Bible Church Warburton. May God bless Barnabas Fund. (Emmanuel Masih )
Because of inherit debts, I was not enable to provide education to my loving children. I have four children. My wife helps me in my work. “I take my whole wages to my home and now I can better feed my kids because my single rupee is not deducted by the owner of Brick Kiln, my all the debts is paid off by Barnabas Fund and I am very happy for this.” My children were helping me in my work but now go to the school that is run under the support by Barnabas Fund in Warburton. My son Dikshu is in class 01, Imran, Irfan and Saniya are in class nursery. Barnabas support is a ray of hope for my family. May God bless Barnabas Fund. (Aslam Masih)
My name is Asif Masih and I have been working on brick kiln for eight years, and since then have been in debt. I have two children. My wife helps me in my work of making bricks. My life was full of challenges and my mother’s sickness was a big challenge for me. She was patient of hepatitis and she fought with this disease many years. I was only in my family who is bearing the medical expenses of my mother’s treatment. I was already in debt due to my mother sickness but I also took loan for my own home. But due to this loan I had to face very critical circumstances, because brick kiln owner started to deduct my wages on weekly basis against my loan and principal loan amount was still stand there. I had disappointed and helpless due to my loan pressure. Thank God who released me from the loan pressure through Barnabas Fund. We pray for Barnabas Fund for their noble deed, they have set us free by paying our debt. God bless them more and more. I want to make my son army officer and daughter to be nurse in future. After the payment of my debt I feel really happy that I am free now and get my full wages. I am member of Bible Church Warburton and go to church with my family regularly.
I have been working on brick kiln for seven years with my parents and since then I have been in inheritance debt. After my marriage my father divided our inheritance debt among my family members. I was paying off my loan gradually but suddenly I suffered in coughing and appendicitis pain which was not good for my health. Doctors suggested me for operation but it was very difficult for me to bear the medical and appendix operation expenses. It was the reason I took loan for my appendix operation. I am thankful to God and Barnabas Fund who released me from debt curse. I feel happy and relaxed now. I have a daughter, she is not going to school yet, but I wish to make her school teacher after completing her education. My wife helps me in brick making. We are regular in family prayers. We always pray for Barnabas Fund. They are good people. They extended their hands to help us. God bless them more and more. (Adil Emmanual)
I have been working on brick kiln from my childhood. I have four sons. Two sons help me in my work and my wife also works with me on the brick kiln. For last 6 years, I have been in debt. I took loan for my wife delivery. It was very difficult time when brick kiln owner started to deduct my wages on weekly basis against my loan, I went into mental stress because I was not meeting the family expenses and I had no other income resources. I wanted to be free from their slavery and work with freedom but it was difficult for me. I always thought “is there really a God”? I experience Him and really believe now that He is there always, see us and take care of us. We are feeling free and relaxed after the payment of our debt by Barnabas Fund. Barnabas team is doing very well. We pray for their wellbeing. My two sons are studying in class 2 and 3. They want to join Pakistan Army and serve the Pakistan Nation. We are member of Presbyterian Church and I go to Church every Sunday with my family.
(Rafaqat Munchi )
My name is Ilyas Sardar. My parents have passed away. I have two brothers and one sisters. My elder brothers are married and live with their families separately. I am also married and my wife helps me in my work sometime. I have no children yet. My sister lived with me. I have been working on brick kiln for 12 year. Sisters are big responsibility on brother’sshoulders after father in our culture. Thank God I fulfilled my responsibility well. I took loan for my sister’s wedding. But I couldn’t pay back, so were bound to work here and almost me and my wife suffer from this slavery. I always thought about my debt which looked like a huge mountain. I am very thankful to God who helped me through Barnabas Fund. After the payment of our debt. We are prosper and free from the burden of working like their salves. I am very grateful to God and Barnabas fund, who took pain to relieve us from this curse. We regularly go to church and are very punctual in our family prayer. May God bless Barnabas Fund richly.
I am the only earning person in my family. I had been working on brick kiln for 13 years and for 12 year was in debt. My wife helps me in my work. I have six children four son and two daughters. I took loan to buy land for my house. I even paid the maximum debt. But when God blessed me with children, I again had to take loan. It seemed very difficult for me to put out the loan but thank God who made possible through Barnabas Fund. May God bless Barnabas Fund. I want to make my daughters teachers and sons to be policeman. After the payment of my debt by Barnabas Fund, I feel satisfied and relaxed. We pray daily and thank God. My children are studying in the following grades Zeeshan class 7th Asiya and Suleman class 5th Rukhsan class 1st and Sanam nursery. I am member of Pentecostal Church and every Sunday I go to church with my family. My children always participate in Sunday school activities. Mushtaq Rehmat
I have been working on brick kiln for four year for three year ago I had taken loan for my wife face surgery. She was working on roof and suddenly slipped down from the roof. Doctors suggested for surgery so in these circumstances I decided to take loan from my brick kiln owner. It’s a tradition of the brick kiln owners that they deduct payment from the daily wages on weekly basis. This was very difficult for me to meet the family expenses in very small income. I pray for Barnabas Fund day and night as they have appeared as an angel for me and my family. No one help others to this extent. But Barnabas is really doing a wonderful job. They have a soft heart for Christian Community of Pakistan. I have six children. I am really happy to be free from my debt and also thankful to God. I want to make my children very useful citizens of Pakistan. After getting education, my daughter Robina want to be a doctor. Martha and Mariam will learn the skills of tailoring. Daud will become a pastor and Boaz wants to be a policeman. I am the member of Pentecostal Church and my children go to Sunday school regularly. Now family prayer is part of our daily life. (Obed Masih)
I have been working in brick kiln for five years. For three years I had been in debt. I took loan from Brick Kiln owner for my brother who was arrested by the police in a fake cases and I had to arrange money to release him. After sometime I took the loan again for repairing my house as the roof was in a poor condition and we were in trouble during the rainy season. It is very difficult for daily wagers to paid off debt in daily wages but thank God for the God fearing people like Barnabas Fund who have passion for their community. We are grateful to Barnabas team who are doing a noble work by freeing the people form the curse of debt. We are really very happy and thankful to God after the Payment of our debt, we are a happy family now. I get my full daily wages. May God bless Barnabas Fund. My wife also helps me in my work. I have two kids and they go to school now. My daughter Zaneera is in prep class. She want to be a Teacher and my son Faizan, student of Nursery Class. I wish to make my son an Engineer. (Arif Rafique Masih )
It is very difficult to survive without life partner in our culture especially when life partner is left alone in this world and goes to his eternal Father. I am a widow and my husband worked on a brick kiln and mostly I helped him in his work. We had four children two sons and two daughters. After the death of my husband, I went into economic crisis. During those circumstances, I started full time work on brick kiln with my son. My elder daughter was young so I made a plan for her marriage and took a loan from our brick kiln owner. I had been in debt for four year and for five year we had been working on brick kilns. My financial condition was not so good that I even could not get my children educated. Thank God for the Barnabas Fund who released me and my family from the debt. After the relief from our debt, I feel relaxed. We are regular in family prayer and go to church every Sunday. My children are happy. Life seems good now. Now I am living with my three children two sons and one daughter. My elder son works on brick kiln and younger son learning the skill of motor mechanic and daughter is learning the stitching. Barnabas is doing well. God bless them and help them in their mission. I always pray for them. (Azra Bibi )