speechless
dont have a word to say
SULTANPURA, Pakistan (CNN) – Four years ago Mohammad Ashraf, desperate for money, sold one of his kidneys to repay a debt.
The pay-off was 104,000 rupees, which translates to just about $1,800.
“My health is suffering, I’m in a lot of pain,” Ashraf says as he props himself up on crutches.
Now too weak to stand, Ashraf is out of work and ill. He shows us his scar – all that’s left of the debt relief he thought he was getting.
“Anyone who has asked me if they should do it, I have told them no. But people like us don’t have any other choice,” he explains.
It’s a common story in small rural villages like Sultanpura – people living in abject poverty looking for an easy way out.
In this village alone more than half of the people living here have sold one of their kidneys.
In countries like Pakistan where the feudal system still prevails, many like 40-year-old Nazar Mohammad sell their kidneys hoping the money brings with it a better life.
“No one does this for fun,” says rickshaw driver Nazar Mohammad.
“We have all sold our kidneys to pay off a debt so that we can save our families from indentured servitude. There is nothing here, not even water. The land owners keep us oppressed.”
Mohammad says more than 20 of his relatives – men and women – have also sold their kidneys.
