Facing the birth of her third child, Heena was at risk of falling into crippling debt to pay for maternal healthcare in Mumbai's urban slums. But with the support of Opportunity International Australia’s local partner in India, she accessed an affordable maternity loan and vital health guidance. Today, she has safely welcomed her son, repaid her loan, and built a savings account to secure her children's future.

A costly choice

Heena works long hours as a thread-cutter in Mumbai’s garment industry to provide for her family. But in communities like hers, giving birth safely costs around A$850, which equals two whole months of her family's income.

Without access to regular banks, Heena faced a terrible choice: skip essential doctor visits and risk her baby's health, or borrow money and risk her family’s financial stability. Most mothers in her position are forced to turn to predatory moneylenders who charge between 60% and 200% interest.

Heena had to take out these high-interest loans for her first two pregnancies, struggling to make strict repayments every seven days. The burden of debt like this often forces mothers back to heavy manual labour too soon, or pulls older children out of school just to pay the interest. 

At Opportunity International Australia we believe no mother should have to make that choice. 

Finding a better way

Heena’s third pregnancy was different. She met Sampata Tai, a Community Health Leader with Uplift, Opportunity’s local partner. Tai helped Heena access an affordable maternity loan and open her very first savings account.

That one maternity loan went beyond just covering costs, and became the first step on Heena’s journey to financial resilience. Through the loan, Heena became an Uplift member, allowing her to access wrap-around support for her pregnancy, and into the future. The loan covered the cost of a safe hospital delivery, and essential antenatal check-ins. Uplift also provided home visits and guidance from a local Health Leader, financial education, and access to medicines free of charge.

A sudden emergency

At six months pregnant, Heena suddenly collapsed at home and spent 16 days in the hospital. For many families like hers, living paycheck to paycheck, an emergency like this leads to financial ruin. But with her loan in place and Tai's help navigating the hospital system, Heena's family was protected from a financial crisis.

A joyful arrival

When her baby boy, Raiza, arrived, it was a time of joy. Heena was able to bring him home safely, focusing on the celebration of new life rather than the fear of a looming medical bill.

Thanks to the built-in ‘grace period’ on Uplift’s loans, no payments were due during the month Raiza was born. Free from the stress of immediate debt, Heena had precious time to rest and bond with her baby. 

Breaking the cycle

Heena didn't just bring home a healthy baby; she brought home financial stability. She proudly shared: 

"I will not have to depend on anyone."

Heena successfully paid off her loan and, through the health finance program, built a savings safety net for her family. With savings set aside she can keep her children in school and confidently plan for tomorrow. 

"My dream is to provide a good education for my children so they can build a better future," she said.

A generation of safe births

Heena’s story shows what’s possible when healthcare and financial support come together.

While Opportunity’s small loans help women earn a steady income, affordable health finance protects what they have worked so hard to create. 

With your support, we are hoping to fund a generation of safe births, providing affordable maternity loans to help more mothers like Heena – transforming pregnancy into a path out of poverty.