Indonesia’s ‘slave island’: Families trapped in debt fight for freedom

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Buru island: Generations of families on Indonesia's remote Buru Island remain trapped in a cycle of debt slavery, with poverty and inherited debts making it difficult for them to escape abusive work environments.

Many families view debt as more than just a financial burden. It can affect where they work, how much they make, and whether they can leave. In certain circumstances, debts are passed down across generations, putting children at risk of inheriting the same situation as their parents.

Despite the challenges, many parents are determined to provide their children a better future. They make sacrifices to keep their children in school, thinking that education may provide a way out of the oppression and debt that has trapped their families for generations.

Yet, breaking the cycle is not easy. Limited possibilities, poverty, and a lack of access to education keep exposing families to exploitation.

Buru Island is a striking example of how modern slavery may continue in the shadows – not through chains, but through poverty, debt, and a lack of options. For the families who live there, the effort to provide a life free of bondage is increasingly focused on the next generation.