Hi, I'm Maria, 27 years old, living in the Philippines. I hold a degree and work as a cashier. I work more than 8 hours a day, starting from 8:00 AM and going home at 7:00 PM. Every day is the same, and I don't have time for fun. I earn 9,000 pesos a month, with no overtime pay, bonuses, or 13th-month pay. Sometimes, I envy others who have better jobs.
The time has come when I got sick and needed money for medical expenses. I didn't know who to ask for help because my family doesn't have enough income. So, I ended up borrowing from multiple lending apps and now have a debt of 150,000 pesos in just two months because I used some of the money to pay off other loans.
I need to pay 40,000 pesos a month, but I can only afford to pay 9,000. I prioritize paying the smaller amounts, but it's not enough. I've ended up not eating for 2-4 days, surviving on just water, and even walking to work to save money. I've received harassment messages and death threats from scammers, and I've been scammed multiple times. My bank savings are now at zero.
Now, I’m looking for an extra job to earn more income. I’ve applied to many job opportunities, but I haven’t had any luck. Sometimes, I even think about selling my organs, turning to prostitution, or finding an older man to marry.
A friend helped me once by sending 2,750 pesos, which I used to pay part of the debt. Now, I’m doing everything I can just to get rid of this debt.
I don't know what to do anymore. Maybe waiting for death is the only answer.
