Microfinance is a disaster. It is very difficult to find a human being who took this loan and recovered his life. But it is not difficult to find enough people who have committed suicide because of this problem. These high-interest loans push the poor further into poverty. We meet Mrs. S. Selvi in an estate village near Hatton Kotagala town. At least there is no home for her and her baby. Instead of a house, there is a tent-like house made of cement tiles. So listen to Selvi’s story ..
I took a loan from someone called Maithili. He said give me a loan and I will give it to you. He was given a loan twice. He also gave me a loan. I’m done paying for it. Then I took another week of debt. But the person I borrowed from did not repay both loans. He went to Colombo without telling me. When I went to his house, the mother and daughter were there. They were told in the message that they were criticizing the ‘sir’ who came to collect debts in this manner, what should I do. They told us not to borrow but to talk to him. Then when I spoke he did not answer my calls. Answering other people’s calls. I told it to Sir who was coming to collect the debt. They did not trust me. They come home every day and bother me. Then I told them, “Sir, don’t bother me. The gentleman in our house is causing problems. He doesn’t like it. ” They said, “It doesn’t matter to us. Give us our money. We will go. ” One day these people came around 8.30-9.00 pm. The gentleman was at home then. The gentleman asked me, “To whom did you borrow?” That. I said the real description.
Then the ‘sir’ who came to collect the debt came home and stayed here. I put the kids to sleep and took them (debt collectors) to the house where the money was given. These people told me to pay immediately. I have no job. The gentleman works for hire. I said it was hard for us to eat and drink. They didn’t hear that. “Right now the money is Rs. Keep 25,000. We come in the morning. ” He cursed. After that he had come from the ‘head office’ the next day. When he returned, he said, “I am being harassed for asking for money. My husband kicks me out of the house with the kids. ” They don’t work for them. Somehow I was told to pay this money. I said then I have no way to pay sir. That’s when I asked if I could cancel the loan if I did something. He told me to do anything to pay off this debt. Then I said I would die in a fire or get drunk. They didn’t believe it. They said they would come tomorrow. Asked to give money. I thought until dawn. What to do. Fights at home. Then I set fire to the body. I had a hard time. She is OK now. But these spots are always there. What to do? I still pay the debt.