My name is Dhanalakshmi. I have an STD booth in Porur near Ramachandra College in Central Madras. My family consists of my parents and two brothers. My father has retired from a private company and his earnings till now was not sufficient to run the family. One brother of mine has been attacked by polio and he has to be constantly monitored in the hospital. My father's income was not sufficient to run the family. I was very interested in studying further but due to my circumstances I could not study beyond the 12th standard. Later I joined the forum and availed the loan. With the loan amount and my earnings I got a telephone connection and started an STD booth. The next loan and with the saving I purchased a Xerox machine. Now I earn well and support the family. The loan availed is very useful for one to standup on their own feet and work towards the betterment of life.

 

 

My name is Shanthi and I am 40 years old. My parents are repatriates from Burma. Initially when we reached Chennai we were staying at Ennore. Here we used to catch fish and give it to the shop and get tapioca in exchange. My father was ironing clothes for a living. My parents used to take us to the nearby church and feed us there. I have studied only upto the 8th standard as my family was unable to educate me further. I was married to a man who was working as a wage earner and I have 2 sons. My husband used to give me Rs. 5 or 10 per day which was not sufficient to run the family. Being a drunkard, my husband used to beat me up. I became a construction labourer. Later I came to know about the organization and avail the loan. With the loan amount I decided to start a business on my own. First I used to buy plastic flowers and used to string them. Since this profession was not profitable to me. I started selling Idlis. Later I purchased a sewing machine on loan and started my embroidery business. Now with embroidery business I make profits enough to contribute to my family.

 

 

My name is Thulasi and I am 30 years old. I have studied till 8th standard. I have three children and my husband drives an auto on daily wages. Being a drunkard he just gave me Rs. 50 weekly to run the family, which was not sufficient. Unbale to face problems I tried to commit suicide by burning myself, but my neighbours rescued me. I used to cry everyday, unable to bear the poverty and torture of my husband. I had to get money from the moneylenders at a high interest for the family's survival. Without any income, the repayment became impossible and the moneylenders started shouting at my doors. When I failed to pay the amount I used to be charged double interest. Then I came to know about the organization through a meeting conducted in my area and become a member in the forum. With the loan that I availed from the bank and the skill training I started preparing soap, cleaning powder and sold it in the nearby streets. Later with the subsequent loan I started getting profits and my position is now improved.

 

 

Rakkammal, 55, has no children. Her husband goes fishing with a small net. She goes to the market to sell the catch. She lives in a thatched hut with several holes and her home nothing except a brass pot and a few aluminium vessels. If her husband returns with no fish, they have nothing to eat. On these days she has to go to the moneylender and take a loan of Rs.100 at a weekly interest of Rs.12.

 

This moneylender would then harass her for the dues of the interest. If she has money she pays him; otherwise he would abuse her. As Rakkammal was already going through a serious economic crisis, she felt neglected and depressed when her husband married again.

 

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