Rescued from bonded child labor, this child (age 12) was a hopeless boy who found hope in the care of Heart of God India’s children’s center.
Sam (not his real name) is now attending school and growing in the knowledge and love of the Lord in a safe and stable environment. Sadly, however, he is only one out of countless other children who suffer the ongoing abuse of child labor in India.
Sadly, India has the world’s largest population of child laborers. For so many, they work 14-16 hours a day instead of going to school. Andhra Pradesh has been cited as having the largest per capita number of children working in the cottonseed production industry across the country. There also is a growing number of children employed as as domestic workers, being paid little of nothing while being subjected to untold abuses. Oftentimes children are found working with hazardous materials without safety measures in place to protect them. The situation is desperate for many children. Statistics show these children are largely female between the ages of 7 and 14.
Sam was a victim of “bonded child labor”, another growing phenomenon in India. Bonded labor means the employment of a person against a loan or debt or social obligation by the family of the child or the family as a whole. It is another form of slavery. Children who are bonded with their family or inherit a debt from their parents are often found in agricultural sector or assisting their families in brick kilns, and stone quarries. Individual pledging of children is a growing occurrence that usually leads to trafficking of children to urban areas for employment and have children working in small production houses versus factories. Bonded laborers in India are mostly migrant workers, which opens them up to more exploitation. Also they mostly come from low caste groups such as dalits or marginalized tribal groups. Bonded child laborers are at very high risk for physical and sexual abuse and neglect sometimes leading to death. They often are psychologically and mentally disturbed and have few social skills or survival skills.
Heart of God India has a special heart for children who are orphaned and/or abused. When Sam was rescued from his horrible environment, he joined nearly 30 other children who come from a variety of backgrounds. While some are true orphans (without a living mother or father), some come from families that cannot afford to provide for them. Because of the faithful donors and partners of Heart of God India, these children are thriving, not just physically but (more importantly) spiritually. Not only are they provided with food, housing, education in a loving home environment, they are being trained to be young ambassadors of the Kingdom of God, sharing His faithfulness and love with others, young and old alike.
Child labor continues to be a major problem in India. Although laws have been passed, they have failed to be ratified which makes it nearly impossible to arrest those who buy and sell children for selfish and inhuman purposes.
Your support this #GivingTuesday will help to strengthen the children’s ministry of Heart of God India. Your prayerful consideration is greatly appreciated!
