Loose Change to Loosen Chains

Dream of a More Secure Future Becomes Reality For Hundreds of Hill Tribe Members

2009-06-24T09:53:00.001-07:00

Members of one of northern Thailand’s nine hill tribes, Buter and her husband Ahsuer spent years scavenging for food just to have enough to eat to survive. They could not travel to find better opportunities elsewhere in Thailand, and their children couldn’t access the opportunity that education would offer them. Why? Because Buter and Ahsuer – like thousands of other hill tribe members – lacked simple documentation that would entitle them to the basic benefits of Thai citizenship. [READ MORE]

Former Slave Prepares to Harvest First Cash Crop

2009-03-27T10:54:00.000-07:00

BANGALORE, INDIA — "Without the water, none of this would be possible," explains Basavaraj, as he looks across the field bearing his first tomato crop. Pointing to a bare spot of moist, tilled earth, he indicates where he plans to plant peas next. Black piping runs up from the well pump at the base of the hill, jutting out from the dusty earth into Basavaraj's field. Water trickles from the pipe onto his tomatoes.

Without such irrigation systems, Basavaraj's neighbors cultivate ragi, a South Indian staple grain that is milled into an edible purple paste, and flat beans, a vegetable so tough and dry that the plants appear to be desert scrub to an outsider's eye. Basavaraj knows these crops well. [READ MORE]

Conviction Secured against Rapist in Bolivia

2009-01-13T10:10:00.000-08:00

LA PAZ, BOLIVIA - Over the past six years, there have been an average of three rape convictions annually in the La Paz region, a metropolitan area with more than 2.5 million residents. IJM Bolivia, which became operational in 2007, has secured four convictions this year – effectively more than doubling the region’s rape convictions. IJM Bolivia will continue to stand for the region’s vulnerable children – demonstrating that perpetrators can no longer act with impunity. Read on for the story of one girl whose life has been changed as a result of steady advocacy [READ MORE]

CHILD SEX TRAFFICKERS SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IMPRISONMENT

2008-12-09T09:06:00.000-08:00

PARAÑAQUE CITY, THE PHILIPPINES – On November 27, 2008, two perpetrators were
pronounced guilty of trafficking minors for sexual exploitation. Both were sentenced to serve 20
years in prison, as well as pay a fine of P1 million (approximately $20,600 USD). The conviction of
the accused is only the twelfth in the Philippines for this crime, and the second this year.[READ MORE]

Teenage boy enslaved since childhoold is freed

2008-10-07T10:01:00.000-07:00

When he was only five years old, Kumar suffered great loss: His father died suddenly and his mother abandoned him after the death. Orphaned and alone, Kumar went to live with his uncle, who did his best to provide him with some stability and security. But two years after his father's death, Kumar's tragedies were compounded when a corrupt brick kiln owner used a small debt incurred by a relative to illegally conscript seven-year-old Kumar into slavery at his kiln. [READ MORE]

We have freed our 9th child from slavery!! We have one more to go to reach our goal!

2008-06-04T13:09:00.000-07:00

We have freed our 9th child from slavery! We have one more to go to reach our goal. Help us get there before the end of school by bringing in your loose change from home!

Loosen the Chains

2007-10-23T16:11:00.000-07:00

Quarry Raid – South Asia

International Justice Mission had just raided the rock quarry rescuing 76 people from bonded slavery including many children. Just as the operation was complete and IJM staff were leaving, a desperate woman banged on the door of one of the cars in IJM’s caravan....[READ MORE CLICK HERE]