Shahzad Masih grew up in the brickworks of Lahore, in Pakistan. His parents worked in the brick kiln as debt slaves: people who were forcibly employed to repay their debts. Shahzad was born into slavery, like thousands of other children.
A better future
Fortunately, he got the chance to go to school and take final exams. His parents had other plans for him than a life of economic slavery in the brick factory. They sometimes did not even earn enough to put a meal on the table three times a day. Their hopes came true when Shahzad found a job as a cleaner in the army. Not a great job, but better than being a slave in the brick kiln.
Now that he had a real job, Shahzad and his fiancée were able to get married. By God's grace, they now have three daughters. He was eager to help his parents and worked hard to pay off their debt. That was about $ 720 when he started as a cleaner and kept growing.
Back in slavery
And then shortly after, both of Shahzad's parents died. He inherited a debt that had now risen to over $ 1100. The owner of the brick factory demanded that Shahzad repay it, either by paying or by working in the brick kiln in their place.
Money Shahzad did not have. He had no choice but to quit his job in the army and work in the brick kiln. He hoped that by working hard, he would be able to pay off the debt and go back to his job as a cleaner. Unfortunately, it was not to be. No matter how hard he worked, the debt continued to mount. After seven years, the debt had doubled to $ 2,200.
Free at last
Like himself, his daughters grew up in the brick factory, as children of debt-ridden slaves. Shahzad was concerned about this and took Reverend Irshad into his confidence. From the beginning, Shahzad was faithfully involved in the Christian community of the brick factory, which Pastor Irshad led. "We sincerely wanted to help him so that his daughters could have a better life," he says. By the grace of God, they managed to raise the money. On 2 April 2024, Shahzad's debt was paid off and he and his family were freed from generations of exploitation.
Your own boss
The next goal was to find another job so he could get away from the brickworks. Shahzad, now 33 years old, found a rented house in a village where he and his wife had relatives living. A good friend had promised to help him start his own business and kept his word: Shahzad was given a motor rickshaw, which would allow him to earn a living as a taxi driver.
Shahzad's story is a story of God's faithfulness, love and mercy. There are thousands of others waiting to be freed from the debt bondage and exploitation they have been victims of for decades.
