Case Study of James Masih

Resident of Joseph Arshadabad Chak 412 Toba Road

This story is about James Masih who belongs to a poor family from Faisalabad. Father was a daily wager. Mother house wife. James parents were living an impoverished life full of miseries. They were like homeless poor migrants moving from one rental place to another. Same happened with James, when he got married and became father of four children two sons and two daughters. He got separated from his parents after marriage because the rental house was very small to live in for all of them. James was the eldest of all six brother and sisters.

Mr. James when left parents’ house was homeless so he decided to reside and work at brick kiln. His children left school at primary stage and started working on brick kiln with their parents. Already they were living miserable life and now living at brick kiln and working day and night under burning sun was like adding insult to an injury.

While working at brick kiln they took small loans time to time which results into a heavy debt with interest. James became sick and helpless. He planned to escape with family. Finally, with the help of his relative they ran away and moved to Karachi city almost 12000 kilometers away from Faisalabad.

In Karachi also they were facing same miseries. In fact the conditions are more worse. Because Karachi city was more expensive to live in. Finally, James family once again took decision to join the brick kiln again. Because that was the only place where he was free from utilities, rents and other costs. At brick kilns they give single hut to live in with no electricity no toilet no other facility. Brick kiln honors hire the whole family from day to mid night for producing bricks.

Once again they migrated to work at brick kiln in Shorkot city about 200 kilometers from Faisalabad. Once while making brick one of his fellow told him that there is a program in nearby village Joseph Arshadabad Chak 412. He invited James Masih to visit and attend the program.
Mr. James accepted the invitation and went next day in the program with his family. There he saw that number of migrant families like them have come and living a successful happy life.

Finally, they contacted CLARA NGO for assistance. CLARA with the help of DESWOS not only provided them with house but also assisted them to start their own small business in the shops available at the road side. James and his son were familiar to the motorcycle repairing work. Joseph Arshadabad is situated on main road side. Thus the shop they opened for motorcycle repairing and of tyre was perfect place to run.

They are successful. They have got house, solar, shop, equipment for repairing’s and above all his children have rejoined the school.

They are thankful to CLARA and DESWOS.