4,989 Children Rescued

While the initial rescue is over, the work has just begun.

These children have survived something most of us could never imagine. Let’s come together to give them a second chance.

Please don’t share this story publicly or on social media.

By the grace of God and the relentless courage of our frontline team, 4,989 children have been rescued from the unimaginable—40% more than we anticipated. Hidden in 17 illegal mining sites, these children—some as young as five—were living in darkness, exploited, forgotten, and robbed of their childhood.

Today, they are finally safe.

Thanks to a coordinated operation involving local authorities, volunteers, and military support, the rescued kids have been brought to a secure “base camp.”

Their Stories Are Heartbreaking—But They’re Not Over

The children came out quietly. Almost all barefoot. Some clung to strangers.
A 10-year-old girl wouldn’t let go of the hammer she used to crush stones—her only belonging.

The first days were a blur of triage:
Lice treatments, warm milk, prayers whispered over sleeping children.
Gently, staff helped them take their first careful bites—watching for signs of starvation-driven overeating.
Among the rescued are 18 young girls that needed immediate hospitalization, and 112 girls that were visibly pregnant. Others are malnourished, injured, and deeply traumatized. And yet—despite everything—many are finding smiles again. 

What happens now?
All of the children, except for those hospitalized, are safe at our transitional “base camp” thanks to the work of social workers, pastors, and program graduates who were once rescued themselves. Here they are receiving:

  • Nutritious, high-protein meals to rebuild strenth

  • Clean clothes to restore dignity

  • Daily medical care for healing

  • Emotional and spiritual support

The base camp is guarded by military personnel, and volunteers are present 24/7 to respond to emergency needs. But with nearly 5,000 children to care for, and 40% more children than we expected initially, resources are stretched thin.

How You Can Help Right Now
There’s no quick fix for what these kids have endured. But there is a way forward.

GIVE:

$750 funds one family reunification
  → $1,915,670 Needed

$1,000 covers a full year of care for one child
  → $1,872,000 Needed

$850,000 to build a girls’ home for young mothers and others with severe trauma.

BONUS: Building additional children’s homes to house the thousands of children who will be with us for the coming years.

PRAY:
For deep healing. For safety. For hope. For our team, as they walk these children from trauma toward Jesus.

SHARE:
Forward this letter. Share their story with friends. Invite others into the work of rescue and rebuilding.

Let’s Turn Rescue Into Recovery
These children have survived something most of us could never imagine. They’ve been saved from the mines—but they’re still climbing out of the shadows.

With your help, we can give them light.

Give now. Be part of their second chance.

For the children,
David Moorhead
CEO, Child Freedom Coalition

P.S. There are more updates to come including answers to your burning questions.

Please don’t share this story publicly or on social media.

Our team is ready to help you take the next step—whether it’s sharing the story, starting a campaign, or simply learning more. We’ll gladly connect, answer questions, or even visit in person to talk through how you and your community can get involved.

Reach out today to start brainstorming how you can mobilize your network:

David Moorhead | 214.493.0286 | david@childfreedom.org

Marcy Moorhead | 214.843.4898 | marcy@childfreedom.org

David Miller | 864.979.3128 | miller@childfreedom.org

We’d love to share more details about the logistics of this rescue and long-term plan for these kids. You can find those details in our FAQ section or reach out to our team directly with your questions because we can’t publish everything here.

F A Q ’ S