1. In a recent partnership of IJM with local authorities, over 500 men, women, and children have been rescued from a brick kiln where they had been held in a form of slavery called bonded labor.
Bonded labor refers to a system where an individual advances a family the US equivalent of a couple hundred dollars (frequently the amount is much less than this). That owner then holds the family in their bonded service until they are able to 'pay off' the debt. Oftentimes, even after decades, they will never declare the debt paid, keeping the family in their service - slavery under the guise of good business.
Here's the article: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-29/chennai/29486830_1_revenue-officials-kiln-labourers
We're ecstatic to celebrate one of the largest rescue operations in IJM's history.
2. Also, you may remember from our recent West Coast tour that we had the privilege of taking part in the Freedom Summit this year. Well, friends, THE AUDIO RECORDINGS ARE ONLINE FOR FREE, with even some video! Check out the link here: http://freedom-summit.org/2011/watch/ . Fifty points to the first person who spots Curtis' breakout session.
