Javed never had a childhood. At just six years old, he was forced to work in a brick kiln in Punjab, Pakistan, to repay a loan he never took. His family had borrowed money from the kiln owner for basic survival, but what started as a small debt soon became a lifelong sentence of slavery.

Every day, Javed woke before sunrise, his small hands bruised and calloused from endless hours of moulding, stacking, and carrying heavy bricks under the scorching heat. He received only one small meal a day, had no access to education or medical care, and suffered regular beatings for the smallest mistakes.
His debt never decreased—whenever he made an error, the kiln owner increased his loan amount, ensuring he could never leave.

One day, Javed tried to escape, hoping to break free from the endless suffering. But the local police, working in favour of his employer, captured him and returned him to the kiln. After this, Javed lost all hope, believing he would spend his entire life enslaved—just like his father and grandfather before him.

That changed when The Edge Foundation learned about his situation. Our team fought for his freedom, negotiating with the kiln owner and paying off his manipulated debt. After years of suffering, Javed was finally free.

Freedom alone was not enough—Javed needed a way to rebuild his life and provide for his family. Through The Edge Foundation’s Skills Development Programme, he learned screen printing, a skill that gave him a chance to earn a dignified and sustainable income.

Today, Javed’s three children are enrolled at The Edge Foundation Primary School, where they receive free education, books, and school supplies. Unlike their father, they will never have to set foot in a brick kiln—they now have a real future filled with opportunities.

Javed is no longer a bonded labourer. He is a skilled worker, a father with dignity, and a man with hope. His story is a testament to how education, skills training, and financial aid can transform lives and break the chains of modern slavery.