A Journey of Courage and Freedom_ Chanda Bibi’s Escape from Enslavement

1. A Journey of Courage and Freedom: Chanda Bibi’s Escape from Enslavement Farrukh Saif October 25, 2024 In a world where freedom is often taken for granted, stories like Chanda Bibi ring a bell to us of the formidable resistance of the human spirit and the ongoing need to fight against modern-day slavery. This is the story of a young woman who, despite relentless suffering and persecution, managed to escape a life of brutality and degradation at a brick kiln in Punjab, Pakistan.

2. Life in the Brick Kiln Chanda Bibi, an 18-year-old woman, was born into enslavement in a brick kiln in southern Punjab. Her family had long been trapped there, working under severe conditions that stripped them of dignity, freedom, and the hope of a better future. Like others, this kiln’s administration also showed no mercy, treating them as expendable assets rather than people. Chanda’s father attempted to flee from the Kiln with the family when she was 16, but they were caught. Chanda and her two brothers were sent to the kiln owner’s house to prevent a second escape attempt. Whereas the father and mother were forced to work day and night. On the other hand, Chanda was subjected to unthinkable abuse by the kiln owner. He repeatedly raped her, treating her as a concubine, taking her whenever he wished, with no regard for her humanity. Months she was assaulted and raped by the Kiln owner and then later sent to the family who were at Kiln. To avoid the shame of the family, their parents arranged her marriage with Rafique Masih, a member of another enslaved Christian family, with hopes that this union might offer some small measure of safety or strength. But life only grew harsher after her marriage. Before and even after her union with Rafique, Chanda faced abuse from the kiln owner. Her life was a continuous cycle of forced labor, trauma, and violation, her cries for help silenced by the influential figures who controlled her fate. The Turning Point: A Pastor’s Visit Hope seemed distant, almost unattainable until a pastor of our team visited the kiln. Upon hearing Chanda’s story and witnessing the cruelty of her condition, he promised her a lifeline. Moved by her courage and determination to survive, he

3. contacted our rescue team to free Chanda and others from these oppressive environments. The Rescue Mission: A New Beginning In a carefully planned rescue operation was launched. Braving the risks, our team managed to whisk Chanda, her husband, and many other families away from the oppressive grasp of the brick kiln owners. Once everyone was safely away, we provided all the families with shelter, food, and essential supplies in their new homes. All these families are now enjoying their freedom and living safe, happy lives. Please join us in the greater mission of rescuing the persecuted and enslaved. Original source:https://ecspe.org/a-journey-of-courage-and-freedom-chanda-bibis-escape -from-enslavement/