An Alternate Universe: The Brickyard Child Slaves

By Chris Chaney

The Shocking Truth

At 6 a.m., Fraz wakes up. Surrounded by the children he calls his “brothers and sisters,” he rubs his eyes and realizes another day has begun. He might have slept longer, but hunger rises within him as reliably as the sunrise.

The children sleep in an open field beside the brick factory where they work as slaves. A few of the “fortunate” ones lie on worn mats with blankets hung overhead to block the night dew. Fraz isn’t one of them. Instead, he sleeps in the only clothes he owns—one pair of pants and a tattered shirt.

No underwear;
No shoes;
No socks.

Because no breakfast awaits him, he begins his day with an empty stomach. His first meal won’t arrive until midday: a bowl of rice with a small something thrown in to give it color. Nevertheless, work begins at 9 a.m.

Throughout the day, he hauls freshly molded bricks, stacks them in rows, and obeys whatever orders the overseers shout. At 5 p.m., when the workday finally ends, he walks out of the fortress-like factory—its walls lined with angry men who watch like prison guards in a gulag.

He then trudges a few hundred feet to the dirt field, where he collapses beside the other enslaved children.

This is not a home, but it is where he lives.
It is not a job, but it is where he works.

Fraz Is a Child Slave

• Fraz and about 50 other children are held captive and forced to work.
• The children labor six days a week without payment, shelter, or dignity.
• They are enslaved by a broken system that sees them only as tools to be used.
• Their society has abandoned them.
• They are never permitted to leave.

The Dynamic Duo

“M” and “M”—a courageous brother-and-sister missionary team—come from a strong Christian family. They work jobs, continue their studies, and face hardships like anyone else. Yet they have chosen a different path. They love Jesus, and therefore they refuse to ignore suffering.

Despite their own poverty, they have spent more than five years conducting a faithful children’s outreach. Their ministry focuses on two groups:

1. The City Orphans

These children live in a persecuted Christian village—painfully poor and constantly threatened. Nevertheless, M and M show up every day. They provide meals, teach reading and writing, and disciple the children in the love of Christ. Consequently, every child in their care has given their heart to Jesus.

2. The Brickyard Children

Fraz is one of these forgotten little ones.

Two years ago, M and M approached the local government and police and secured permission (yes—permission) to feed the brickyard children on Sundays and to teach them to read and write. As a result, these children have been introduced to Scripture. Every child they teach has accepted Jesus. Fraz loves Jesus too.

Whenever finances allow, M and M make additional weekday trips to spend evenings with the enslaved children. However, the journey is long and transportation—even in a small rickshaw or on a motorbike—remains costly.

The Christmas Season

The children have heard that Christmas is a time of joy—a season of gifts, celebration, and better meals. Now, as the season approaches, M and M are asking us to help Fraz and the others experience even a glimpse of Christmas blessing. Meanwhile, the orphans in the village are also hoping for something special.

For a brief moment during Christmas, the brickyard overlords and local authorities allow Christians to bring small gifts and food into the camp. M and M will handle everything with courage and care. They are fearless, committed, and ready.

You can shine a light into the dark world of these enslaved children.
A small gift. A better meal. A moment of joy—in Jesus’ name.
They will thank God for you.

Please Pray

Pray for M and M. Their ministry is difficult and dangerous. In their country, many oppose Christian outreach of any kind—even outreach to child slaves. As a result, every visit, every lesson, and every prayer carries risk.

Pray for the children:

• That their slavery will end.
• For this ministry to continue.
• For Fraz to be set free, know love and live.