When one life is restored, many more can follow: Thenmoyi's Story

In 2005, 14-year-old Thenmoyi was brought to freedom from bonded labour at a brick kiln. 20 years later, she helped government officials bring six people to freedom from bonded labour.

This is her story – one marked by courage, freedom, and fervent leadership.

Thenmoyi can vividly recall childhood memories at the brick kiln.

“My family and I were trapped in bondage at a brick kiln in Bangalore. It was a life filled with pain, fear, and endless work in bondage. When my father could no longer handle the gruelling labour, the burden fell on all of us. From dawn to dusk, under the scorching sun, we laid bricks, crushed stones, and tended the owner’s animals,” Thenmoyi shared.

Every day, Thenmoyi and 93 others would be forced to start work at 4 a.m., moulding heavy clay into thousands of bricks – approximately 26,000 bricks a day. 

A normal day looked like 15-16 hours of work, with time for just one small meal. Every night, the families slept in clay-walled huts with no doors, offering no protection or sense of safety. 

When Thenmoyi's father grew weak from the workload, the owner would verbally abuse him. This soon escalated into physical violence. 

Her family often spoke to each other about the possibility of escaping, but they were too afraid. She remembered an incident when two labourers tried to escape but were caught and physically assaulted by the owner. She said, “We were so sure the owner would find us and bring us back here, no matter where we fled. And the consequences of that would be terrible.”

In late 2005, IJM rallied authorities to bring freedom to Thenmoyi and the 93 other labourers trapped at the brick kiln. However, during the operation, the owner’s henchmen grew violent, threatening and assaulting IJM staff.  

The victims ran away into the night.  

Days later, our team traced their location, and the government heard from Thenmoyi and the other labourers who courageously shared their experiences at the brick kiln.  

On 16 December 2005, the survivors were issued Release Certificates to break the false debts. Thenmoyi and 93 others were officially free.  

“That one step changed everything,” Thenmoyi recalls. “I went back to school and finished my school education. I got married and became a mother. I even began to dream again…More than anything, I knew I wanted to fight for those still trapped in the darkness I once knew so well.”

Today, Thenmoyi leads Jeevan Jwala, a survivor network in Andhra Pradesh, with over 900 survivor members. She boldly advocates with government officials, helps lead rescue operations, and openly shares her life experience to welcome survivors into freedom.

“I believe in the power of survivor voices to bring real change—not just in our villages, but across the world.”

Last September, she helped local authorities bring six people into freedom from bonded labour at a brick kiln and mango farm. One woman had been in bondage for 13 years, raising two children alone. Another family had their 9-year-old daughter held hostage to force them to work. Both families walked free because of Thenmoyi’s leadership and courage to stand for justice.  

What does freedom look like for Thenmoyi now? 

Alongside her work as a survivor leader, Thenmoyi runs a fruit and vegetable stall in a busy marketplace in her town. She has the flexibility to work on the days that best fit her schedule.

A proud mother, Thenmoyi hopes to see her sons continue to study and apply themselves at school. Thenmoyi and her husband also dream of buying land and building a new house.  

When one life is restored, many more can follow. Thenmoyi’s voice, alongside many other survivor leaders, is helping create a world where all are safe and free.

“I have become a strong voice for survivors like me. I have represented our survivor network Jeevan Jwala, on many platforms, even in press meetings, where I have spoken about bonded labour not just as a problem, but as a crime that must end. Because I know what it’s like to live without freedom. And I know the strength it takes to reclaim it. That’s why I speak—for those who can’t yet. And I won’t stop until every last voice is heard.”