Chinnanan

Chinnanan (wearing glasses) was a bonded slave in a rock quarry for 20 years before IJM rescued him and 41 members of his family, including his granddaughter and great-granddaughter. Here one of his daughters explains how they were abused by their slave master. Chinnanan exclaimed to IJM staff, “We were suffering so badly without food or water in the quarry - and you are here.  IJM is helping us.”

“I am so happy,” the 75-year-old father exclaimed through a crooked-tooth smile. “We were suffering so badly without food or water in the quarry - and you are here. IJM is helping us.” Chinnanan was sold for a debt at age 55.  Since then, the illegal bond that has weathered his body like dust in the quarry where he’s slaved for 20 years has passed to his children and his grandchildren - 42 family members in total.

When the slave owners learned of IJM’s investigation, they threatened the family and other quarry workers by withholding daily supplies of food and water. The families began selling what few possessions they had in order to afford only one meal a day to survive. IJM presented its documentation to local authorities leading to a massive wave of intervention releasing a total of 117 people held in bondage and arresting six of the owners who had enslaved them.

The intervention not only marked an unfathomable day of rejoicing for Chinnanan and each mother and father and child among the 117, but it tipped the scales of power in favor of the oppressed. The country’s government has provided rehabilitation funds to each of the victims and extends a powerful message to would-be perpetrators that the price of oppression is costly. For Chinnanan and his 32 grandchildren, the act of loving one’s neighbor is a treasure of life and hope and freedom.

For More Information

For more information about Loose Chains to Loosen Chains contact Jimmy Fenwick, Director or Student Ministry at or 281.634.8912 or Jason Clarke, Student Ministries Intern at or 281.634.8913.