Modern day slaves

THE BRICK KILN MINISTRY IN PAKISTAN

SERVING MODERN DAY SLAVES

I connected recently with Neelam who, with her husband Aneer, lead Heirs of Salvation Ministries in Pakistan. I was deeply impressed by the passion of the people she serves as they worship and pray. They are people who work in the brick kilns of Pakistan. Curious, I asked her to tell me about it.

What is the Brick Kiln?
The brick kiln is a type of labor camp where bricks are made by hand. In many areas of Pakistan, these kilns are run like bonded labor systems. Families—often poor and uneducated—take loans from kiln owners for survival needs such as food, medicine, or marriage expenses. In return, they are forced to work in harsh conditions to repay the debt, which often grows with interest, trapping them for generations.

Who works there – children too?
Yes, entire families are forced to work in these kilns, including children as young as 6 or 7 years old. They mold clay, carry heavy bricks on their heads, and work from dawn till dusk under the burning sun or cold winds. These children are often denied education and a normal childhood, growing up in hopeless cycles of poverty and bondage.

Who do they work for?
They work for the kiln owners who provide the loans and then bind the families through illegal and unjust debt agreements. Despite their hard labor, these families earn very little—barely enough to survive. They live on the kiln premises in poor conditions, without basic rights or protections.

In what way are they slaves?
They are modern-day slaves. They cannot leave the work or the kiln without permission, and any attempt to escape results in threats, violence, or further financial penalties. The debt is manipulated in such a way that it is nearly impossible to repay, passing from parents to children. Their lives are controlled—work, movement, even their worship is sometimes restricted.

But in the midst of this darkness, God’s light is shining. We regularly visit these kilns to pray, worship, preach the Gospel, and bring hope. Many have come to know Jesus and have been baptized. We also help to free families by paying off their debts and helping them start small businesses so they never return to bondage again.

Neelam said, “We are thankful to God for every opportunity to serve these precious souls.”

The ministry’s website is at https://hosmpk.com/