The Problem

“The Freedom Project” is focused on rescuing Pakistani children who have been sold into a life of slavery and hard labor working in the brick kilns of northern Pakistan. Though the “official” term used within Pakistan is “bonded laborer” these children have been sold into this slavery or born into it. They have no choice, no rights, no hope, no advocate, and no future. Most children are around age nine (often hard to know since no birth certificate exist), some are as young as five (5 yrs). Many die at a very young age. 

Unfortunately a number of the children sold into this “bonded labor” come from nominal Christian families who were hit severely hard in the summer monsoon floods of 2010. Vast numbers of these families lost everything but the clothes they were wearing. Homes, farms, livestock, and loved ones together with any means to provide for their families were swept away in these epic floods. 

Though world relief aid provided some help all aid was funneled through Pakistani government offices and State agencies which proved to be very selective in who got what aid and how much. As often happens in Muslim countries there “simply” wasn’t enough to go around for those non-Muslim families (infidels). Faced with death by starvation of all their children many parents sold into bonded slavery a few of their children in order that they might save the others. Though it seems unimaginable to us and unforgiveable that a parent would sell a child, people driven to desperation due awful things which they justify in their minds. Other children were kidnapped by adult predators when they were separated from family members during the flood or became orphaned because of it.

It was at this time that Crossroads got involved in Pakistan via partnership with a local Pakistani Christian organization. That was back in 2010 and was in response to these epic floods. 

Through a small missions organization Crossroads provided over $4,000 in supplies to many destitute families – supplying tents for shelter, food to sustain them. And then last Christmas Crossroads launched its first ever Christians Catalogue where Christians could purchase gifts of goats, blankets, jackets, shoes, etc. for a Pakistani family or child facing a harsh winter without shelter or proper clothing. 

As a follow up to those efforts we uncovered this domestic tragedy of selling children into a life of hardship and toil. Though the Pakistani government has outlawed child bonded labor (slavery) they confess it goes on all the time and often under the noses of those entrusted with stopping it due to the high propensity of graft and bribery. 

The Solution

I know it sounds harsh and perhaps a bit dark to suggest we “buy” a child’s way out of slavery and we are fully aware that this is not a perfect answer. Other groups like International Justice Mission are working on changing the laws or enforcing the laws already on the books in nations where these injustices are a daily reality. Our focus is on rescuing the child suffering today under this injustice, making a difference in his/her life, and changing his/her destiny here in this life and beyond for eternity. We are doing that through this Freedom Project.

What encourages us in Crossroads most and we feel holds out the greatest potential for making a lasting difference is that The Freedom Project is tied to a network of Pakistani “house churches” which are already active in reaching adults and children working in the brick kilns. 

These house churches are aligned with a local Pakistani Christian organization Crossroads has been working with the last 18 months. This network of house churches is mobilized to integrate rescued children into their community with one of the families taking the child into their home. These local believers have been doing their part in rescuing children over the last year as they had funds to buy the children out of slavery. 

The church community also is seeking ways to provide education for the children at one of the three Christian schools that our ministry partners have established. One year of education for a Pakistani child costs $100. To buy one child out of slavery costs approximately $200. 

Steps To Freedom

How the Project works is like this – Crossroads local ministry partners have pastors (house church pastors) who live and work in the areas where the brick kilns are located. Through their evangelism efforts in the areas they have identified 107 children who were sold into slavery. It’s these children we are seeking to buy out of slavery. 

The funds raised for the Project will be placed into the hands of our ministry partners who will then negotiate the price of each child’s freedom. Money will be paid and the child immediately taken from the brick kiln and taken in by a Pakistani family to care for (house church members). 

If we raise enough money each rescued child will be placed into the Christian school our ministry partners have and additional funds will be sought to continue their education each year. Our goal here is to spiritually, physically, and socially end the cycle of poverty that thrust them into slavery in the first place. 

Your Part

We realize this is not a perfect solution but we feel confident that with God’s help and that of the responsible local brothers we are working with we can make a lasting difference, changing a child’s life forever. We welcome you to join us in making this lasting difference. Those giving to rescue a child will receive a letter and picture of the child they rescued. We encourage you to write to them and pray for them too. Those wishing to continue to sponsor their child education will receive updates on the child’s progress and how to be praying for them. 

If there is anything else I can answer for you about The Freedom Project or Crossroads itself please give us a call at 417.234.5495 or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

God be with you. 

Kent Kelley
CEO Crossroads International