Raja Ebenezer

Biography

When he was 14 years old, Raja’s whole family became trapped in bonded labor slavery at a brutal brick kiln, all because of a small loan. For two years, Raja worked 19 hours a day, sleeping in a one-room hut with his parents and without access to school. In 2004, International Justice Mission began investigating the brick kiln where Raja and his family were trapped, and eventually worked with local authorities to mobilize a rescue operation in the brick kiln that freed more than 130 people, including Raja.

In 2005, Raja became the first member of his family to graduate from high school, after which he went on to complete a five-year degree in law. In 2012, Raja was hired by International Justice Mission as a lawyer to protect the rights of bonded laborers, supporting rescue operations and building solid cases against those who abuse the poor.

Raja is married and has two little boys.