Mushtaq and Shazia

From struggling scrap dealer to indenture

Update September 20th 2023: Mushtaq and family are now free!

Mushtaq inherited a struggling scrap business from his father. He was not able to make ends meet from selling scrap. Not able to keep up with the bills, he started working at the brickyard for low wages. His wife also started making bricks, but even with their combined wages they continued to fall behind. They eventually had to borrow money from the brickyard owner. The owner never paid them enough to actually survive, seemingly with the intent to have them enter into indentured servitude.

That was 20 years ago. Mushtag is now 50 and has 6 children. The 3 younger ones are not shown in the photo.

Cost of Freedom for Mustaq & Family:

$970 USD - Debt to the brickyard owner

$2000 USD - Establish a financial footing

$390 USD - Funds transfer costs through Action Ministries International

$3700 USD - Rounded up total (to provided a some contingency funds)