Nothing is more sad than seeing a woman, a mother thrown into jail for owing money. In Iran, people who lend money can send the people whose loans go into default to prison.

We are talking about a society that is based on relationships. People amongst themselves are open to exchanging hard cash and helping each other in times of need. By the same token, when a person can not pay back, they risk ending up behind the bars. I am not sure of its technicalities but I know that the person will stay locked up until or unless their friends and relatives can gather the money the person owes. This way the lender will get their money back.

In this piece of news, we are reading about an anonymous person who cleared the debts of 21 women so they could get released of their debt and their cells. These women were imprisoned only because they were not able to pay back the money they owned by any means. God knows what could be possibly happening to their kids and families. A woman who is desperate to get a loan for making ends meet most probably does not have a man by her side and is raising kids on her own.

My eyes are still wet as I write. Not having money and not making money is HARD. Especially for a mom and in a society that the possibilities for a earning a living for a  woman with kids can be very limited.

My hope is that this act of kindness gets enough traction that other people with substantial amount of wealth in Iran think of following this lead.

In a world of sad news flooding the news stream, this story is shining like a flower amongst a bed of stings.

Let’s say cheers to waking up and reading more of such stories!

Source: IranWire | استان تهران

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