The husband who helped bring his family to safety from slavery on Valentine's Day
Summary:
In a courageous act of love, Dhaniya* returned to the place where he'd been trapped in slavery to bring his wife and children to safety.
After they were trafficked to a sugarcane farm in South Asia, Dhaniya and Parobai* were forced to cut heavy sugarcane stalks for 18 hours every day.
Scarred and exhausted, and with winter making the conditions even more unbearable, Dhaniya managed to escape.
But Parobai and their two young daughters were caught and trapped in increasing violence.
“He [the farmer] would often beat us and verbally abuse us...We did not have anyone to take care of us,” Parobai remembers.
What Parobai didn’t know was that Dhaniya was coming back for his loved ones.
Dhaniya reported the abuse to one of IJM’s partners, and bravely chose to lead officials back to the farm to help his family.
It was Valentine's Day, 14th February, when Dhaniya and police arrived to bring Parobai and their girls to safety, alongside 10 other children and four adults.
“Parobai started crying because she had never thought that she would see this day of freedom,” said an IJM staff member.
Today, Parobai says she’s happy and hopeful. She’s focused on supporting her family and protecting others from trafficking.
This Valentine’s Day, we hope you know how much IJM values your support and everything you make possible for families around the world!
*Pseudonym