Brick-kiln deliverance

Ongoing

Rescuing Christian families from generational bonded labour — paying their debts, restoring freedom, educating their children.

Restoring freedom and dignity to brick-kiln families

We rescue Christian brick-kiln families from bonded labour, pay their debts, provide small-business support, ensure children receive education, support vulnerable young women with dignity, and restore families to a life of freedom, faith, and hope.

Across Pakistan, thousands of brick kilns operate — especially in Punjab and Sindh — producing the bricks used for homes, roads, and major construction. Behind this industry are thousands of marginalized Christian families who work under extremely harsh and exhausting conditions. Entire families, including children, work long hours shaping and carrying bricks in intense heat and heavy dust.

The peshgi system

One of the greatest injustices these families face is the “peshgi” (advance loan) system. Families borrow money for survival needs — medical treatment, food, shelter, or wedding expenses. In return, they are forced to work at the kiln to repay the debt. Because wages are extremely low and deductions are unfair, the debt almost never ends. It is often passed down from parents to children, creating generational bonded labour — even though it is illegal under Pakistan’s Bonded Labour Abolition Act (1992).

As a result, many brick-kiln families suffer unsafe and unhealthy conditions, discrimination, emotional trauma, lack of legal protection, and poverty that crushes human dignity. Children grow up working instead of going to school, and many never experience true freedom.

Our response

The Church of Pentecost Pakistan has launched an ongoing humanitarian and faith-based project focused on freeing Christian families trapped in brick-kiln bonded labour and rebuilding their lives with dignity.

1. Debt release. Through the generosity of believers and ministry partners, the Church pays off outstanding loans and ensures legal release from kiln bondage.

2. Small-business startup support. After release, the Church provides startup capital, tools, equipment, and small-business guidance so families can begin sustainable income-generating work — tailoring, vending, livestock rearing, small shops, or skilled labour.

3. Education for children. The Church ensures that children from rescued families attend school rather than work at the kilns — school admission assistance, learning materials, and ongoing encouragement.

4. Support for vulnerable young women. Many young girls from brick-kiln families face severe social pressure and economic hardship. In compassion, the Church helps arrange simple and dignified wedding ceremonies and provides basic household items — protecting their dignity and preventing exploitation.

5. Spiritual, emotional, and social care. Rescued families receive prayer support, pastoral guidance, counseling, encouragement, and Christian fellowship.