Many Christians in Pakistan have to work at brick kilns because better jobs often go to Muslim workers. A Christian woman who worked in a brick kiln explained more about what life is like for brick kiln workers.
“My family is uneducated and poor. I never went to school. I have been working at the brick kiln my whole life. I never played with toys because I was busy making bricks the whole day. In my free time, I took care of my younger brothers and sisters. I made the first brick that I made by myself when I was 10. I was very happy that I learned the art of making bricks to earn some money. I knew that my little income could not feed my family. But I could support them a little bit with what I made. At that time a brick kiln worker earned 40 cents for making 1,000 bricks. Today they earn $5 for 1,000 bricks.”
You can make a brick by mixing 2 cups of straw (or dried grass), 4 quarts of dirt, and 6 cups of water. Line a shoebox with plastic, such as a trash bag. Tape the plastic to the outside of the box to secure it. Pour some of the dirt mixture into the box. Let it dry in the sun for about two days. Take it out of the box and turn it over so the bottom can dry.
