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Survivor Stories

While there are many harrowing stories that are never told, we wanted to share a few with you that IJM has been close to over the years

These are the types of children we are running this race for. And we hope that their story encourages and challenges you as you race for those still held captive in slavery.

Suriya - India

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In early 2019, IJM partner SHED India identified a 10-year-old boy herding over 200 goats to pay off a debt taken by his mother. Suriya had been trafficked in the aftermath of the Gaja Cyclone that ravaged Tamil Nadu and killed his father in November 2018.

The goat farm owner had given Suriya’s mother money to pay for the funeral, but then took Suriya with him to work. Suriya worked day and night and slept in the open with the goats he tended. SHED assisted the District Administration in rescuing Suriya in March 2019. Today, he’s going to school again, and IJM and SHED are looking for new ways to support his family so they can build a more stable future.

Hear Suriya’s full story here:

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Foli - Ghana

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Growing up, Foli lived with his grandparents on their farm. When his grandfather was injured in an accident, they fell prey to a relatives false promise to care for Foli and put him in school. When Foli arrived at his relatives town on the coast of Lake Volta, he forced onto his uncle’s fishing boat, and trapped in a routine of 19 hour workdays. Despite the harsh conditions and witnessing the drownings of other boys his age, Foli never lost hope that he would be rescued.

After several years, IJM led a rescue operation with Ghanaian police that rescued Foli and nine other boys. Now, Foli is safe at home with his grandparents. He’s back in school, and one day he dreams of being a famous soccer player.

Hear Foli’s full story here:

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Kumar - South Asia

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When Kumar was 5, tragedy stuck and his father died suddenly. Shortly after, his mother abandoned him. Orphaned and alone, Kumar went to live with his uncle, who did his best to provide stability and security for two years. Just as his life started to return to some normalcy, a corrupt brick kiln owner used a small family debt to illegally conscript Kumar into slavery when he was only 7 years old.

After two years of brutal work and beatings, IJM discovered the slavery in the kiln and partnered with local authorities and police to rescue Kumar and 14 other people who had been forced into labor. IJM helped Kumar enroll in school where he quickly made up for lost time. Now, Kumar is looking forward to his future, and plans to help others trapped in slavery like he once was.

Hear Kumar’s full story here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6547uGK9lNA⁠

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Liana - Dominican Republic

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Liana was raised by her grandparents, after her father passed away and her mother left when she was very young. She grew up safely in their care for years until the summer of her 14th birthday where she traveled to her mother’s town to reconnect with her. At first, they had fun and Liana’s mother convinced her to move in with her. Almost overnight, the house became a prison, and Liana’s own mother enslaved her and began selling her to men for sex.

After months of sexual and physical abuse, Liana escaped, and IJM took up her case. Both Liana’s mother and her step-father were convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison for sex trafficking. Today, Liana is living safely back in her community, working to earn her high school degree, and some day become a lawyer or doctor.

Hear Liana’s full story here:

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Cassie - The Philippines

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Cassie* was 12 years old when she followed a family friend’s promise of new clothes, school supplies and a chance to get a good education in Manila. Eight hundred miles away from the childhood home where she had grown up without electricity or technology of any kind, Cassie soon learned that the man she had trusted was running a global cybersex trafficking ring out of his home. For nearly five years Cassie was trapped with other young women and children—including a 2-year-old—who were subject to horrific abuse.

Even though Cassie felt alone, people were looking for her. IJM worked with Philippine authorities and U.S. Homeland Security to pinpoint Cassie’s location and rescue her and six others from the nightmare of exploitation. Today Cassie is safe, and uses her voice to speak out on behalf of those still trapped in this type of abuse.

Hear Cassie’s full story here:

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Suriya - India

Foli - Ghana

Kumar - South Asia

Liana - Dominican Republic

Cassie - The Philippines

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