Thamilarasi, 33, and her husband work together in her weaving business. Their three children, Thamilan, 15, Thamilarasan, 13, and Elakkia, 11, attend a free government school. They can barely afford the expenses that schooling involves, such as uniforms and school supplies.

Vegetable, fruits and meat are scarce in their meals. They have had to sell their livestock to make repairs on their small house. Their children help as well with the weaving business when they are not in school.

They had to take loans from a money lender at exorbitant rates of interest before they became PAT borrowers. Repaying those loans was a hardship. With this loan, Thamilarasi will purchase more raw materials to increase the weaving production, and will employ two more workers.