Trip August ’24

This year, I was once again invited to the fair in Karachi. It’s a great way to expand the network and explore the business opportunities Pakistan offers. The goal is to do business in Pakistan and, through that, create better-paid jobs.

After the fair, we first traveled to Mirpur Khas to visit the families we support there. It was wonderful to see relationships and friendships deepen.

After our visit, we flew back to Lahore. There we visited all the families again and also discussed opportunities with our business contacts.

A week later, my friend Frank joined me. We visited two brick factories and spoke with the families we plan to free. What joy at the prospect of a life without debt (and slavery)!

One of the two families is a widower who ended up at the brick factory with five children after his wife passed away—the only way to cover hospital bills. How tragic: losing your mother and the hope for a better future. But we are taking steps to free them.

The other family is the brother of Mr. Ashi, a family we had previously freed. Again, due to medical bills, they ended up stuck at a brick factory for the second time. They are hardworking, disciplined people who managed to work their way out of debt before. Now it’s difficult again, and we will help them through it.

During this trip, my friend Nadeem’s brother passed away. Extremely sad, and suddenly you find yourself attending a funeral. It was a trip filled with both laughter and tears.