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        "rendered": "<section  id=\"block_31137c1fc6e6379f4d7a40966de5dc1b\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"row justify-content-center\">\n      <div class=\"col-xl-6 col-lg-7 col-md-9 col-sm-10 col-12\">\n        <div class=\"story_brave_content\">\n                    <div class=\"story_content\">\n                      <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<section  id=\"block_640c35da649124935ef0232d7e760c82\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"row justify-content-center\">\n      <div class=\"col-xl-6 col-lg-7 col-md-9 col-sm-10 col-12\">\n        <div class=\"story_brave_content\">\n                    <div class=\"story_content\">\n            <p>Twenty years ago, you would\u2019ve found Kumar, then just a little boy, with raw hands and a body racked with pain as he was forced to work seven days a week in a brick kiln in South Asia.<\/p>\n<p>Today you will find him the happiest he\u2019s ever been as dream after dream has recently come true: <strong>he married the love of his life, Jancy, and having recently completed a master\u2019s degree in social work, he\u2019s now serving with the IJM South Asia team as a social worker, fulfilling his passion of helping other survivors on their journey to restoration.<\/strong><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\u5eab\u99ac\u723e(Kumar)\u7684\u6545\u4e8b\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8PexTwN7Wzg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<section  id=\"block_9e2e67abb3807272fc393120b80a1d7d\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"row justify-content-center\">\n      <div class=\"col-xl-6 col-lg-7 col-md-9 col-sm-10 col-12\">\n        <div class=\"story_brave_content\">\n                    <div class=\"story_content\">\n            <h3><strong>From rescued to rescuer<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>When Kumar was 5 years old, his beloved father died suddenly, and his mother abandoned him shortly after. He went to live with an uncle who tried to care for him well, but when Kumar was 7, an abusive kiln owner forced Kumar into slavery over a small debt incurred by a relative.<\/p>\n<p>Kumar suffered in slavery for two horrific years.\u202f<em>\u201cThey tortured me so much,\u201d\u202f <\/em>he remembers.\u202f<em>\u201cI did not think about freedom. I was afraid to think of my future. I had nothing to look forward to. I felt like I had lost everything in life.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-17264 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ijmhk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/kooti-kumar.jpg_2017.08-Kumar-Childhood_Approved-for-Full-Use-300x202.jpg\" alt=\"Kumar child picture\" width=\"570\" height=\"384\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ijmhk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/kooti-kumar.jpg_2017.08-Kumar-Childhood_Approved-for-Full-Use-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ijmhk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/kooti-kumar.jpg_2017.08-Kumar-Childhood_Approved-for-Full-Use-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ijmhk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/kooti-kumar.jpg_2017.08-Kumar-Childhood_Approved-for-Full-Use-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/ijmhk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/kooti-kumar.jpg_2017.08-Kumar-Childhood_Approved-for-Full-Use.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 570px) 100vw, 570px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>But a life of enslavement and fear was not to be Kumar\u2019s destiny. <strong>Kumar was rescued in 2003 by the South Asian government with the support of IJM. That marked the beginning of a two-decade relationship with IJM that continues today.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When Kumar was first rescued, his primary goal was to obtain an education. He\u2019d never been to school, but with much perseverance, he completed secondary school, worked with an IJM team in South Asia for four years, and earned a bachelor&#8217;s degree in commerce. It wasn\u2019t enough, though:<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cI thought of the many who were still stuck in the system of bonded labour. If I wanted to help them, I had to study social work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Now 29, and having completed his master\u2019s degree in 2021, Kumar says:<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\u201cI have achieved three of the most important life goals: getting an education, finding a job, and settling down, and finally, having a partner with whom I can share the rest of my life\u2019s journey.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Kumar met Jancy in 2017 when they were both studying commerce, and they were married in February 2022.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cAfter marriage, I am truly beyond happy,\u201d<\/em>\u202fhe said.\u202f<em>\u201cRescue changed everything, but Jancy has added meaning to my life. For the first time, I feel like my life is full of hopes and dreams that we aspire to conquer together.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-17288 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ijmhk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/DSC_61401645164992130.jpg_202205BAN_Kumar-Update_Approved-for-Full-Use-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Kumar wedding picture\" width=\"569\" height=\"380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ijmhk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/DSC_61401645164992130.jpg_202205BAN_Kumar-Update_Approved-for-Full-Use-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ijmhk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/DSC_61401645164992130.jpg_202205BAN_Kumar-Update_Approved-for-Full-Use-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ijmhk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/DSC_61401645164992130.jpg_202205BAN_Kumar-Update_Approved-for-Full-Use-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/ijmhk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/DSC_61401645164992130.jpg_202205BAN_Kumar-Update_Approved-for-Full-Use.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 569px) 100vw, 569px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Kumar\u2019s heart overflowed with joy and gratitude when IJM staff from two South Asian offices came to celebrate his marriage:<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"row justify-content-center\">\n        <div class=\"col-xl-6 col-lg-7 col-md-9 col-sm-10 col-12 text-center\">\n                      <h3 class=\"mb-5 pb-2\">\u201cI was most thrilled to see those who cared for me from when I was a kid attend my wedding. I wanted their blessing. That was my heart\u2019s desire.\u201d<\/h3>\n                    <a href=\"#sendrescue\" class=\"btns pink_btn give_modal\">DONATE NOW >><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<section  id=\"block_5311dae8bbfc9d08ac7fb315392aedac\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"row justify-content-center\">\n      <div class=\"col-xl-6 col-lg-7 col-md-9 col-sm-10 col-12\">\n        <div class=\"story_brave_content\">\n                    <div class=\"story_content\">\n            <h3><strong><br \/>\nGuiding survivors<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>As a final step in earning his master\u2019s degree, Kumar completed a field internship with the Released Bonded Labourer Association (RBLA, a network of survivors mentored by IJM). After that he desired to work with another IJM team in South Asia, and his qualifications earned him the opportunity to live out another dream: serving as a Community Development Social Worker with IJM.<\/p>\n<p>Kumar feels he is able to rewrite the stories of others like him as he helps survivors through the process of obtaining government services for freed bonded labourers.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cAs each family holds their ID cards or entitlements, it gives me a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment that I have played a part in their journey<\/em>,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p>Kumar also speaks at government meetings to raise awareness about the issue of bonded labour and share his own story\u2014particularly about how the timely rescue and aftercare program helped him.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\u201cWhen I highlight these experiences, they are filled with immense joy,\u201d\u202f<\/em>he says.\u202f<em>\u201cThey are overjoyed to see my transformation from a bonded labourer to a spokesperson. Listening to their compliments gives me a lot of happiness. This motivates me to do more for my people.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Kumar also highlights the importance of education\u2014a subject he talks to both rescued children and their parents about. His biggest desire, he told us, is to see them become degree-holders like him.<\/p>\n<p>Kumar describes his life now as being \u201clit up in a glorious way,\u201d but is well aware of how differently his story could have ended:<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\u201cHad I not been rescued, my life would still be in the deep pit of darkness, and my next generation and the generations to come would have been in complete darkness<\/em>,\u201d he says.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Acknowledging how IJM helped him when he needed it, Kumar is determined to now offer that same assistance to other bonded labourers\u2014people with whom he can identify so closely<em>.\u202f\u201cMy dream is to raise more \u2018<\/em>Kumars\u2019 like me,\u201d he says.\u00a0<em>\u201cThis system of bonded labour should be completely eradicated. This is my desire; this is my dream.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<section  id=\"block_df9784a7bc1dfe404cf0c250de526935\" class=\"img_back\" style=\"background:url('https:\/\/ijmhk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/DSC09718.jpg_202205BAN_Kumar-Update_Approved-for-Full-Use.jpg') no-repeat; background-position: center; background-size: cover;\">  \n<\/section>\n\n<section  id=\"block_7eff31c2708631bfd51404375d17347d\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"row justify-content-center\">\n      <div class=\"col-xl-6 col-lg-7 col-md-9 col-sm-10 col-12\">\n        <div class=\"story_brave_content\">\n                    <div class=\"story_content\">\n            <h3><strong>Looking ahead and looking behind<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Kumar also took a moment to reflect on the milestone IJM is celebrating this year, since its founding in 1997.\u00a0<em>\u201cOn this <a href=\"https:\/\/ijmhk.org\/en\/news\/ijm-celebrates-25-years-of-impact-and-the-heroes-who-make-it-possible\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">25th anniversary of IJM<\/a>, I really want to thank God for Gary and his vision to bring IJM into existence and for every supporter and donor who has partnered in this mission and given so selflessly,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0Kumar says.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>\u201cIt is because of each of your sacrifices that people like me are free today to chase our dreams. Every little deed of yours is a seed to grow many more \u2018Kumars\u2019 like me. I hope that this will be the start to end bonded labour in my generation.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"row justify-content-center\">\n        <div class=\"col-xl-6 col-lg-7 col-md-9 col-sm-10 col-12 text-center\">\n                      <h3 class=\"mb-5 pb-2\">Your monthly contribution as a Freedom Partner will help empower survivors like Kumar to help people who are still trapped in slavery. <\/h3>\n                    <a href=\"#sendrescue\" class=\"btns pink_btn give_modal\">BECOME A FREEDOM PARTNER >><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n<\/section>",
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