The Dark Reality of Brick Kilns

In the heart of Pakistan, a hidden injustice continues to affect thousands of children. This injustice unfolds in the form of brick kilns—places where children as young as five years old are forced to work in brutal, dehumanizing conditions.

Shining a Light on Child Labor in Pakistan

Pakistan's brick kiln industry is one of the largest and oldest in the country, but it thrives on exploitation. Families are often lured into these workplaces under the guise of earning an income. However, once they arrive, they are bound by "debt slavery," a system that traps them in bondage, with little to no hope of escape. These families, desperate for survival, often have no choice but to send their children to work in the kilns alongside them.

Children are tasked with labor-intensive jobs: mixing clay, carrying heavy loads, and working in sweltering heat. For a long day of grueling work, they receive minimal wages, and often, these wages are never paid in full. The cycle of debt continues for generations, as children born into these conditions have little to no chance of a future beyond the kiln.

Many of these children have no access to education, health care, or even proper nourishment. They are deprived of their childhood and subjected to a life of suffering and hardship, with no way out.

Did You Know?

• Approximately 2.5 million children are working in hazardous conditions in Pakistan, many in the brick kiln industry.

• 50% of the children working in brick kilns in Pakistan are between the ages of 5 and 14, often forced into labor for up to 12-14 hours a day.

• Families in debt bondage may be trapped for generations, with some individuals never receiving a full wage for their work.

• The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that 12 million children are engaged in child labor in Pakistan alone, a staggering number that underscores the need for action.

  
  

Our Response: A Mission to Empower and Restore

Learning about the plight of these children has deeply affected us. My husband, who has visited Pakistan several times for missions, encountered these harsh realities firsthand. It is heartbreaking to see children—children who should be playing and learning—working under these cruel conditions. But we believe in the power of partnership and the transformative work that can be done when we come together with a mission.

In 2025, we plan to take on an initiative to address the issue of child labor in Pakistan, specifically within the brick kiln industry. We aim to start by focusing on the children trapped in this cycle of forced labor, offering them a chance to break free and experience the freedom of childhood and education. We’ll work to establish relationships with local churches in Pakistan, where our partners already have a presence and are working to rescue children from these situations.

The first step in this initiative is to create an "orphans list," a list of children we aim to support directly. Our goal is to provide not just immediate relief, but long-term restoration through food, clothing, education, and healthcare. We’re committed to helping these children escape the brick kilns, empowering them with opportunities for a better life.

Adopting a Child: A Way You Can Make a Difference

As we expand this initiative, we are also supporting our first adopted child—a young girl who is blind. We have partnered with our contact in Pakistan and his church to adopt her into their care, providing her with the love and attention she deserves. For just $50 a month, we provide her with food, clothing, and all the necessary supplies to support her well-being. This is a small amount, but it makes a world of difference for her, and it’s through the generosity of others that we are able to support her.

Our partner church in Pakistan is taking on the role of adopting her and caring for her on a day-to-day basis, while we support her financially to ensure she receives the help she needs. It’s a simple yet powerful partnership that shows how we can work together to make a difference in the lives of these children.

How You Can Help

As we continue to develop this orphan support initiative, we invite you to consider joining us in this mission. Supporting children in the brick kilns, like our adopted daughter, can help provide them with a new chance at life—one free from the burdens of labor and full of opportunities for education and healing.

Your contribution of just $50 a month can provide food, clothing, and other essential needs to one of these children. Imagine how your small sacrifice could transform a child’s life and give them hope for a future beyond the brick kiln.

Together, we can shine a light in the darkest corners and offer hope to those who need it most. As we continue to grow our efforts in Pakistan and expand our outreach to children in need, we pray for God’s guidance and provision in making this mission a success.

To learn more contact us or start giving today by clicking here.

Scripture for Reflection:

"Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." — Psalm 82:4 (NIV)