Dear John,

When 19-year-old Manasi’s mother became ill and died, large debts from her care meant the family had to make hard decisions. The offer of an advance payment from a labor agent seemed like the answer, but soon Manasi, her father and young sister were working long, exhausting hours at a brick kiln far from their home in Odisha province, India.

When COVID-19 struck and the government issued a full lockdown, Manasi and the other laborers just wanted to get home. “I was particularly concerned about my sister,” Manasi remembers. “I wanted her to be at our home amid our community at such times.”

Negotiating with the kiln owner got them nowhere. When they decided to stop working, they were beaten with clubs, and Manasi’s nine-year-old sister was struck. “They lost their cool when they saw some of the workers packing their luggage to return home,” Manasi explains.

Manasi knew she had to act. Quickly, she slipped into a hiding place and used her mobile phone. Others, terrified of the consequences, tried to stop her, but Manasi boldly sent images of the attack to a friend who shared them on social media, and another who called IJM.

Thanks to the support of committed friends like you, IJM was able to work with a local partner and the government to send rescue for all 360 people trapped at the brick kiln. “On the day of the rescue, I shared all the information to the police about the owner and the incident. Sometimes when I think back, I wonder where I drew all that courage from,” Manasi says today with a laugh.

This rescue alone is worth celebrating. But as you may remember from last year, government officials then took the unprecedented next step of releasing nearly 7,000 workers from 30 brick kilns and helping them return home. Manasi’s story and the photos she shared were the inspiration for that rescue!

The importance of the Indian government’s actions cannot be overstated. Even a few years ago, this was unheard of. The long-term investment of our supporters means IJM can support local governments over time as they improve confidently and respond decisively to cases like Manasi’s. Today in India, government-orchestrated rescue missions like this one are becoming the norm.

John, this is the good you do every time you give to IJM. You help individuals find freedom, and you also strengthen local justice systems that keep people who are poor safe from ever being victimized in the first place.

Manasi’s brave phone calls during the beatings at the brick kiln were the catalyst for nearly 7,000 people to receive their freedom.

Until all are free,
Your friends at IJM