CLARA – Concern-Lane Alliance for Rural Areas
Rashid Masih and Violet Bibi
From Chak 412 Joseph Arshadabad
Rashid Masih and Violet were basically from village Bhindian Chak No 152. There were other Christian families also residing in the same village but Rashid Masih was leaving a good happy life. Rashid House was good and his family was also hardworking and committed to work, faith and religion. Rashid children were getting education in government school. Rashid had two daughters and a son. Rashid and his wife were working as farmers with landlords. They were also used to take small contracts of cultivation on other people lands.
In 2014 the extremist with in and around the village became active against minorities. The land honors fired Rashid and his wife from work places and they became jobless. Rashid and his wife became jobless and helpless. Rashid’s wife became seriously sick because of sudden tension. Finally, leaving behind everything with the help of some relatives they went to Rawalpindi city and started working on a brick kiln. Rashid became hand to mouth. He took some advance from brick kiln honor for food and the treatment of his wife. In return he contracted with the brick kiln honor that all his family will work for them day and night. Thus Rashid, his wife, two daughters and his son became their slaves at brick kiln.
In 2016 Rashid took again some loan to get both of his daughters marry in his relatives. He did not gave anything to them it was just simple marriage. After marrying both his daughters Rashid and his son started working day and night to repay the loan. But Rashid’s wife was not recovering from her illness. She was gradually becoming weak and sick. Rashid was willing to take her to a good hospital for her medication. But brick kiln honors did not permitted them to go. Only Rashid and his wife can go leaving behind their son at work.
Rashid left his son Vishal at brick kiln and took his wife to government hospital. Doctors did their best to save his wife but she died. Rashid contacted his son that your mother is died and we have to go for her funeral in Bhindian village. But brick honors did not permitted him to go. Then Rashid alone with his daughters went to village for her funeral. When Rashid came back he saw his son and cried a lot because they were used to treat him as animal. Working day and night he was become weak. They were used to abuse him and treat him as low born inferior from minority.
Rashid became worried about his son and tried his best to find out a way out for escaoe from this slavery and misery. He went again to his village and sold his house to get his son free. He took his son and came to another catholic village Francisabad Chak 500 nearby Village 412 Joseph Arshadabad.
Rashid was sharing a house with his relatives. Finally he heard from Chak 412 Joseph Arshadabad that CLARA NGO and DESWOS are assisting homeless people. Rashid contacted us for assistance. And we with the help of DESWOS provided all he need. Rashid son got married and now he has two children. They are living a happy peaceful life. They have got piece of land of 1632 square feet, One Bedroom, Bathroom, and water hand pump.
Rashid and his son Vishal work as daily wager. They are very happy and thankful to DESWOS for their support and assistance.
