Rajkumar and Ramesh, former bonded laborers, have gained confidence and dignity by securing jobs as sanitation workers dedicated to a healthier village, and they take great pride in their ability to provide substantial support for their families. However, their journey has not been without its challenges. Both men were rescued within the past year from bonded labour at agricultural facilities, but despite their physical freedom they continued to grapple with mental scars that led to a sense of hopelessness and purposelessness.
In response to these observations, the Justice Hub team connected Rajkumar and Ramesh to a community-based support unit known as Self-Help Groups (SHG), a grassroots organization with the primary goal of empowering its members to achieve socioeconomic development and a better quality of life. Additionally, SHGs maintain strong ties with local government bodies, which resulted in the SHG being informed about the need for sanitation workers for a government cleanliness initiative. Encouraged by the Justice Hub team, Rajkumar and Ramesh applied for the positions and successfully secured jobs that not only restored their confidence and independence but also strengthened their desire to remain in their village and contribute meaningfully to their community.
