Nandkishore Rishi Dev* spent most of his life trapped in the cycle of bonded labour. Being in a poor household with no land or stable livelihood led to accepting advance payments from local contractors and employers; these advances forced him to labor long hours under exploitative conditions, with wages so minimal that they barely covered daily survival for his family. Nandkishore was finally rescued from bonded labor by a Justice Hub team, but difficult circumstances pulled him into another precarious situation, even after the release that should have been the start of a new life.
To address mounting debts and keep his family alive, Nandkishore was forced to migrate for work, leaving his wife struggling to manage the household and care for their children. His children’s education suffered as hunger and poverty disrupted their school attendance. Any illness, accident, or loss of work threatened to push the family deeper into debt and exploitation, and despite years of hard work, Nandkishore remained stuck in the same cycle of vulnerability with no savings, assets, or hope for change.
After several years, a JVI Justice Hub learned about his continuing struggles during community-level outreach initiatives. Recognizing his vulnerability, the Justice Hub team conducted follow-up visits to understand his ongoing needs and support him in rebuilding his life. A detailed household assessment revealed his long history of distress migration, financial insecurity, and the significant risk of re-entering exploitative labour due to the lack of financial literacy and sustainable livelihood options.
The Justice Hub enrolled Nandkishore in financial management and leadership training sessions designed to empower survivors of bonded labour. Through these sessions, he learned essential skills such as budgeting, daily expense tracking, and savings. He gained an understanding of small business planning and decision-making, along with leadership and communication skills that helped him gain confidence in his ability to manage a small enterprise. These trainings marked a significant shift in his life. The Justice Hub even provided him with livelihood assistance of $109 to establish a small shop selling daily essentials near his home and gave regular mentoring and business guidance to ensure sustainable growth.
Justice Hub Impact
- Survivor trained in financial management and leadership
- Small business launched with $109 in livelihood support
- Family income stabilized
- Children returned to school
- Permanent home now under construction
The Justice Hub’s intervention resulted in remarkable improvements, and his shop now generates enough income to meet household needs and allow him to live with his family throughout the year. His children attend school regularly, and his wife feels safe and emotionally secure. With his savings, Nandkishore has even begun building a permanent home – an achievement he once believed impossible.
While the transformation did not happen overnight, the Justice Hub’s steady work of investing in Nandkishore’s story helped him move from exploitation to empowerment.
*Name changed to protect identity
