On March 16, 2022, JVI and partner EFICOR worked together with local authorities, including the Labor Department, Child Welfare Committee, and police, to rescue seven minor boys from child labor in a textile factory in Delhi. The boys, ages 7 – 15, had been working 12 hours a day with no pay.
One of the boys, Radhesh*, was only 9 years old when he went missing from his parents and was trafficked from his village. For five years he worked under forced conditions of a trafficker, moving from place to place depending on the work demanded of him. Radhesh and the other boys were kept under close watch and not allowed to leave. At the time of the rescue his trauma was so severe that he did not remember much about his childhood or the names of his family members.
Following the rescue, the boys received immediate medical attention, supportive trauma care, and placement into aftercare homes until family members can be located. The facility has been sealed and the government has registered an official complaint against the offenders to ensure no additional children are subjected to their illegal practices.
The boys already seem to be more relaxed and happier in aftercare and are adjusting to being children again. JVI and EFICOR will continue to work with these children and the government to repatriate them to their families, where appropriate, and to ensure they remain safe and have access to education.
EFICOR, Evangelical Fellowship of India Commission on Relief, is one of JVI’s lead partners. Together, EFICOR and JVI have established a Nyay Kendra (“Justice Hub” in Hindi) promoting justice in the greater Delhi area. Through the Justice Hub, EFICOR is working with JVI, other NGOs, and law enforcement agencies to rescue and rehabilitate victims of bonded and forced labor and more.
EFICOR’s broader mission is to serve the poor and marginalized in situations of poverty, injustice and disaster. Their on-the-ground team implements programs that transform communities: improving health and nutrition among mothers and newborns, assisting slum-dwellers,
By partnering with justice oriented NGOs like EFICOR, we combine greater skills, innovation and cultural understanding to design justice solutions that work.
*name changed to protect confidentiality
