Idaho Man Rescues Christian Families from Debt Slavery in Pakistan
Aaron Hutchings, an Idaho resident, traveled to a brick factory in Pakistan in January. He was taken aback to witness children laboring under the scorching sun to pay off their families’ debts, some stretching back generations.
Within hours of his arrival, Hutchings took action, settling the debts of two enslaved Christian families and granting them freedom, effectively lifting a “curse” carried for centuries.
Emma Hall, a persecution researcher affiliated with the charity Open Doors, shared that up to one million Christians—roughly 30% of the estimated 3.3 million Christians in Pakistan—are caught in slavery or bonded labor.
“Extreme poverty compels families to take advance loans for essential needs, entangling them in a challenging cycle of debt,” Hall explained.
Emmanuel Hernandez recounted his reaction when he learned about the plight of Pakistani Christians trapped in debt slavery. After a visit to meet his future wife in Pakistan, he was confronted with the grim reality of labor exploitation in the brick-making industry.
“It was the most desperate situation I’ve ever seen,” he told Fox News Digital. “That moment led me to commit to helping at least one family a year for the rest of my life.”
Hernandez established the non-profit Project Jubilee in January 2025, and thanks to generous donations, they have rescued over 300 individuals from slavery.
Project Jubilee assists people of all backgrounds, but Hernandez noted that “98 percent of those we rescue are Christians, as they are often treated as second-class citizens.” The average cost to liberate a family is about $8,500, a sum that reflects the necessity of comprehensive support beyond just clearing debts.
“Our aim is to ensure they thrive and never return to that life,” he continued. The organization provides legal aid, two months of essential support, and connections to local services like education for children and job opportunities for adults.
Despite the positive impact, Hernandez mentioned some factory owners resist when it comes to releasing individuals, sometimes placing restrictions on how many families can be freed each month.
Hutchings, after discovering Hernandez’s work through social media, reached out for collaboration, saying he was just an everyday person looking to make a difference.
After a brief conversation, Hutchings visited Pakistan, where he freed two families, an experience that left him “absolutely hooked.” He described the emotional weight of this work as it alters the future for families.
Noting the significance of freedom for children, he reflected, “We ask them what they want to be as adults. Often, they haven’t even considered that possibility, feeling stuck in the cycle of labor, just like their parents.”
Inspired, Hutchings founded his nonprofit, the Intentional Faith Foundation, to gather donations to support further rescues.
In May, Hutchings returned to Pakistan and liberated ten more families, with subsequent fundraising efforts allowing for additional rescues.
Despite slavery’s official abolishment in Pakistan in 1992, enforcement remains weak, according to Hall. Discrimination against religious minorities continues, as evidenced by recent attacks on Christians documented by international observers.
Hutchings noticed the challenge of securing housing for freed families since many landlords refuse to rent to Christians. However, local groups eventually helped facilitate housing and employment for these families.
A recent report from Pakistan’s National Human Rights Commission urged measures to address forced labor and improve conditions for affected individuals, recognizing that slavery still exists in the country.
Meanwhile, Hutchings feels a profound sense of purpose in his work. “Looking back, it doesn’t feel coincidental. I see divine assistance throughout this journey. Our efforts to express love to these people have bestowed more blessings upon us than we could have imagined,” he concluded.
