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How Rescued Children Rebuild Their Lives: Stories of Hope and Transformation
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Every number tells a story. But behind each statistic is a child—a life once lost in the shadows of slavery, now walking in the light of freedom. At Set Free Alliance, we don’t just rescue children from slavery—we help them rediscover life. Through education, emotional healing, vocational training, and spiritual growth, thousands of former child slaves in India are writing powerful stories of transformation.
In this post, we’ll explore what happens after a child is rescued, share powerful child rescue success stories, and highlight how faith and mentorship play a vital role in rebuilding lives once shattered by slavery.
What Happens After a Child Is Rescued?
Rescue is just the beginning. Once children are brought to safety, Set Free Alliance partners with local leaders to meet their physical and emotional needs. On our India campus—currently home to more than 6,000 rescued children—daily routines include nutritious meals, schoolwork, counseling, worship, and time to play and rest. Thousands more are cared for in group homes led by pastor partners.
Education: From Stones to Schoolbooks
From holding stones in the slate mines to holding books in classrooms—what a journey! Many children had never stepped inside a classroom before they were rescued. Today, they are eager students catching up quickly, learning to read and write, and dreaming big dreams.
Children attend on-campus classes aligned with national curriculum standards. Subjects range from math and science to literature and the arts, all taught by caring educators who believe in each child’s potential. More than 20,000 children rescued through Set Free have enrolled in school, and many have gone on to complete high school, college, and vocational training.
→ Learn more about slavery in India
Recently, 179 children with dreams of becoming doctors participated in an exam to help them access further education. Another group of 1,986 children took their 10th and Intermediate public exams and every single one passed, allowing them to move on to the next level of education.
→ Read: How Meeting Physical Needs Allows Us to Meet Spiritual Needs
The Healing Power of Art: Premier Arts Collective's Contribution
Emotional trauma can leave deep scars—but creative expression can help restore what was lost. That’s why Set Free Alliance has partnered with Premier Arts Collective (PAC) to provide art therapy to 480 students on their India campus.
Developed by PAC Art Therapist Anita Yeh Norrie, the art therapy curriculum has been translated and taught to instructors on-site, offering students a safe, healing outlet for their pain. Through painting, drawing, and visual storytelling, children are empowered to process trauma, express emotions, and envision a future filled with hope.
Art becomes more than just therapy—it becomes a voice for children who were once silenced. And in every brushstroke, we see healing in motion.
Faith, Mentorship & Reintegration
Faith and mentorship play a critical role in helping children rebuild their sense of self-worth. They learn that they are not forgotten—that they are deeply loved by God. Through discipleship, prayer, and life-giving community, these young survivors grow into thriving young adults, equipped with the tools to lead fulfilling lives.
When children reach adulthood, many are successfully reintegrated into society—some return to their villages as leaders and change-makers, while others pursue careers in cities and towns. Many continue to live and work within the Set Free community, using their experiences to mentor younger children.
Life After Child Slavery: Vocational Training & Employment
Set Free doesn’t just rescue children—we prepare them to thrive. As rescued children grow into young adults, vocational training becomes a key focus. Through partnerships with local businesses and technical schools, thousands of youth are equipped with practical skills that allow them to live independently and with dignity.
Here’s a look at where some of our young adults are now:
Chart: Total Number of Trained & Employed Rescued Youth
| Occupation | Number Employed |
| Tailoring | 5,224 |
| Delivery Jobs | 2,508 |
| Carpentry | 627 |
| Driving | 209 |
| Computer Training | 627 |
| Small Business Owners | 627 |
| Plumbing & Electrical | 418 |
| Total | 10,240 |
Hundreds of Rescued Kids Now Run Their Own Businesses
As shown on the chart above, 627 rescued children are now armed with the skills to run their own businesses as young adults. Here are some of the small businesses that Set Free alumni operate:
- Tea & Coffee Stalls
- Masala (Spice) Powder
- Making & Selling Handmade Soaps & Phenyl (Cleaning Liquid)
- Production Home-Made Snacks & Sweets
- Firewood & Timber Selling
- Waste Material Collection & Trash
- Selling Used Bike Spare Parts & Repair Shop
- Pickle Preparation & Sales
- Curry/Daily Meals Tiffin Shops
- Small Grocery Kiosks / Kirana Stores
- Borewell Drilling Services
40% Give Back
In a beautiful full-circle moment, 40% of these young adults—4,096 individuals—now donate $10/month to support the next generation of rescued children. Together, they contribute $41,210/month, giving back to the same mission that once gave them freedom.
Testimonies of Hope and Success
Sudha: A Life Rebuilt, A Legacy of Love
Sudha—once a broken child in the mines—is now a strong woman, a mother, and a business owner. She got married and is now blessed with a child of her own. Life didn’t just give her a second chance—it gave her purpose.
Today, she runs a coffee business, managing her tea and coffee shops with confidence and care. What once felt impossible is now her everyday life: leadership, independence, and dignity.
But she hasn’t forgotten where she came from. Sudha now oversees rescue homes in her region, ensuring children experience the same love and security that transformed her life. She personally gives back $500 each month to care for rescued kids—children who remind her of her own journey.
Sudha is living proof that even the deepest wounds can heal. Those rescued children don’t just survive—they rise.
Kishore: From Slavery to Support
Kishore, now 18, was once a child trapped in the harsh slate mines, forced to work from dawn till dusk to pay off his family’s growing debt. His parents, struggling with illness and poverty, had no choice but to send him away. There, he endured physical pain, hunger, and fear, witnessing the exploitation of other children, especially girls. But everything changed when a rescue team from Set Free Alliance (SPL) freed him from the mines and brought him to a safe home.
At first, Kishore was scared, unsure if this was just another trap. But as time passed, he discovered a life full of warmth, kindness, and safety. The staff encouraged him, helping him find joy in small tasks, and slowly, he began to rebuild his life. Today, Kishore works as a delivery driver, earning a living and, more importantly, giving back. Every month he earns the equivalent of around $475, he donates $60 of his earnings back to Set Free, helping children still waiting to be rescued.
Kishore’s journey from the mines to a life of dignity is a testament to the power of rescue, support, and second chances. “I know what it feels like to be forgotten, to be used like a machine,” he says. “And I know what it means to be saved, to be loved, and to be free.”
The Ripple Effect of Restoration
When a child is rescued, their transformation doesn’t stop with them. It extends to their families, their communities, and beyond. Through education, faith, mentorship, and healing programs like art therapy, rescued children are rewriting their stories—and inspiring others to believe that hope is possible.
These are not just child rescue success stories. These are stories of resilience, revival, and a future filled with purpose.
You have the power to change lives. Be a part of the ripple effect →
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