Mallesh's Story

For most of his childhood, Mallesh didn’t know what freedom felt like—or even what it felt like to be a child.

He had lost both parents at just two years old, and although his aunt took him in, she soon sent him away to work on a rose farm in Bangalore to repay a small debt.

At only eight years old, Mallesh was forced to labour like an adult, constantly afraid: “I could not be playful. I was afraid the owner might scold me or hit me.” He worked long days in the fields, often sick, hungry and sleep deprived.

The thorns caused him severe pain and left lasting scars, physical and emotional. He shares, “I hated to see those flowers stained with my own blood. Even now I get traumatized when I see roses.”

More than anything, Mallesh dreamed of an education. As he watched other children walk by in their school uniforms, he would think, “I wish I too can wear a tie and go to school.”

For too many years, Mallesh’s dreams were out of reach. But everything changed the day rescue came.

In 2013, IJM helped rescue Mallesh and four other boys from bonded labour. At just 13 years old, he was the youngest among them to receive an official release certificate—his first official step into freedom.

That same year, Mallesh enrolled in 8th grade. He couldn’t read or write yet, or even hold a pen, but he was determined to learn. He worked incredibly hard to catch up, completing 12th grade with his headmaster calling him “one of our brightest students and our fastest learner.”

Mallesh didn’t stop there. With support and encouragement from IJM staff, he pursued a bachelor’s in social work at Madras Christian College. Through the challenges of city life and the isolation of lockdowns, Mallesh persevered, graduating in 2023.

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Today, Mallesh is continuing his studies with a master’s degree in social work, driven by a powerful dream: to fight for children still trapped in bonded labour. He hopes to become an IAS officer, which would allow him to influence national policy and help more children access education.

“Even if I do not become an IAS officer,” he shares, “I want to help at least two children study. Education is important because that’s what brings about change. It changed my life.”

The seeds of hope planted many years ago are now bearing fruit. By joining with IJM, you can champion justice for the most vulnerable among us and support the fight to end modern slavery.

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Your gift can help bring freedom within reach for someone still awaiting it.

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Modern slavery comes in numerous forms, including bonded labour, where a person is forced to work indefinitely to repay a debt or loan. Victims are stripped of their freedom, trapped in brutal environments and subjected to relentless abuse.  

Your one-time gift can help rewrite the future for someone trapped in violence and exploitation. It fuels IJM’s critical work: reaching victims in urgent need, walking alongside survivors through their healing processes, holding perpetrators accountable and pushing for lasting system change.

By choosing to give monthly, you’re joining a community of Freedom Partners in the fight for justice. Your ongoing support fuels IJM’s critical work: reaching victims in urgent need, walking alongside survivors through their healing processes, holding perpetrators accountable and pushing for lasting system change.

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