The day probably wouldn’t have stood out in Dipankar’s mind.
It was just like every other day before it: Trapped with 75 other boys and young men in cramped South Asian jewelry factories, working 14 hours under surveillance and threats.
He had dropped out of school to take this job, thinking he’d use the money to support his family while his father was sick. But the job had been a lie. Instead, he was enslaved.
So just to get through each day, he would let his thoughts wander back to his village, replacing the horrors of slavery with happier memories of playing with friends in the rain.
So just to get through each day, he would let his thoughts wander back to his village.
Even when it rained, their energy wouldn’t stop. Nothing could keep them from playing together.
What Dipankar didn’t know was that as he was dreaming of his village, five rescue teams—and justice-loving Canadians like you—were supporting and planning his freedom.
“It was just another day. [But then] the police stormed in, and the doors that had always been locked flung open,” remembers Dipankar.
All 76 boys and young men were rescued that day, and Dipankar was able to return to his village to finish school.
“I am grateful to IJM for gifting me a new life. I feel confident to face challenges and will never allow myself to be exploited.”