Free Sheela from debt (to "loan sharks"), to Life

Dear Friends,

My name is Prantik. I am raising funds for Sheela and her family (photo above) living in Mumbai, India; to help free them from a vicious cycle of debt (to “loan sharks”) and enable them towards a sustainable living.

Sheela and her husband and two children, live in Mumbai, India. I met Sheela on my recent trip to Mumbai, visiting my parents, where Sheela works as domestic help, cleaning dishes and other household tasks. During my month’s stay, I saw Sheela as a very hard-working person with a dynamic and vivacious personality. Below is Sheela’s life situation, she shared with me not willingly or with any motivation, but upon my urging to understand her difficulties.

Back to “loan sharks” - The debt Sheela and her husband incurred was during Covid, to sustain the family, amidst “lockdown” restrictions in India that severely limited their work opportunities and income. A debt of Rs. 5 Lakhs (Rupees 500,000 in Indian currency), to four lenders (see below photo), equivalent to ~US$6000 (at current exchange rate of 1US$ = ~Rs.83).

Below list of lenders and amount owed (in Indian Rupees):

The lenders charge an outrageous 10% interest per month! Rs. 50K ~= $600, which is far above Sheela and her husband’s total monthly income of ~Rs 35K (~$420), working multiple jobs! Thus, unable to meet their monthly interest payments in full, their debt keeps increasing - Sheela borrows from one lender to meet the interest payments of another lender - spiraling down a vicious debt cycle! The lenders harass Sheela on a regular basis, incurring severe stress on her family, at one point driving Sheela to seriously contemplate suicide!

Sheela’s kids - a 15yr old daughter studying in 10th grade and 17yr old son who has completed 10th grade; both have aspirations for higher education, their only prospect towards economic freedom, that is being thwarted - they’re having to contemplate taking on side hustles to help their parents; which, in reality, given their young age and meager earning potential, won’t make but a dent in the family situation, whilst sacrificing their futures.

I know there are a lot of families around the world in a similar situation - the economically poorer class - sincere, hard working, yet struggling to meet basic needs, seeming to have no way out; and I have had the opportunity to meet one of them - a living, breathing, beautiful person and her family that is experiencing daily stress and suffering due to an intractable financial situation, doesn’t know a way out, and needs help.

I would like to sincerely help Sheela and her family to free themselves of this vicious cycle of debt, to have a shot towards a more sustainable living. But I am unable to do this alone and requesting your help please - to collectively raise the $6000 required to payoff Sheela’s lenders.

Sheela and her family express their deep gratitude for this effort and any help you may be able to offer - giving them another chance at life!

Please donate (any amount helps), as well as share this link with your family and friends. Thank you for your patience and kind attention! I appreciate your help very much and wish you well!

Best regards,

Prantik