Anglican In Wilson

BREAKING NEWS UPDATE

Location: Chennai, India
Result: Former Slave Elected as Local Government Official

Dear Paul,

In October 2008, Kutty and his family were rescued from slavery in a rice mill. This week, he was elected as a local government official who will oversee several villages.

Kutty has thrived since his family was rescued from forced labor slavery in a rice mill where his four children were forced to work instead of going to school. When IJM staff first met him, he had tears in his eyes as he shared about the abusive conditions he endured and fear he had of the owner.

After rescue, Kutty completed IJM’s comprehensive two-year aftercare program. His kids are back in school, and both he and his wife have good jobs to support their family. After choosing to participate in a special Leadership Training sponsored by IJM, he stepped up as a leader among his peers.

Kutty decided to run for office, and this week he won in a landslide victory. “I want to do good for my people and my village,” Kutty proclaimed to IJM staff who gathered to congratulate him.

Thank you for being a part of this movement of friends, supporters and advocates. You are making incredible and long-lasting transformation possible for IJM’s clients.

Gratefully,

Sean Litton
Vice President of Field Operations

PS. Read more news from IJM’s field offices around the world on our website, including Kutty’s story.

BREAKING NEWS UPDATE

Location: Chennai, India
Result: Former Slaves Commissioned as Community Leaders

Dear Paul,

This week in India, dozens of families who were once trapped in slavery graduated from IJM Chennai’s two-year aftercare program.

There were 183 former forced laborers including 31 children at the graduation event, marking two years of freedom since they were rescued from slavery in IJM-assisted operations. During the program, former IJM clients shared testimonials encouraging their peers to be agents of change in their own communities.

Ramesh, who was rescued from slavery in a rice mill and has emerged as a strong leader in his village, shared advice with his peers. He said: “We have to educate our children and protect our communities from going into bondage again. That is the best thing we can do.“

Thank you for joining this growing movement of friends, supporters and advocates. You are making it possible for our teams in India to do the thing they know how to do: to rescue and restore individuals like Ramesh, and to work towards transformation of entire communities.

Gratefully,

Sean Litton
Vice President of Field Operations

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