The fight against usury
Posted on May 31, 2010 by christopher
109 Ben interventions for more than 7 million. These are the figures relating to 2009, presented by the Foundation for the Prevention of wear Tuscany, in the usual budget of the mission explained, last May 6 at the Museum of Santa Maria della Scala in Siena. Annual budget, said. But not only. The presentation of official data last year, was an opportunity to reflect on what has been done until now regarding the prevention and fight wear. A battle – the illegal loan – initiated in Siena, reminds the audience as the president of the Foundation itself, Lelio Grossi: “It was 1998, and three volunteers of Mercy, in the wake of experience with Microcredit, proposed and then realized – thanks to the valuable contribution of the MPS Foundation – the draft Prevention wear.
Since then much progress has been made. Just take a look at the numbers to understand the exponential growth of the organization: 40 listening centers located throughout the Region; 240 volunteers to meet loan requests, 1,409 applications approved for a total of over 50 million euros paid by banks. During these years, the Foundation – saving those who were indebted to emerge from a nearly hopeless situation – has dealt a severe blow to the illegal loan. Despite everything, however, that wear is a difficult cancer to be eradicated, as pointed out by the Prefect of Siena Gerarda Maria Pantalone, “This is a hidden phenomenon: Often people are afraid not only to terminate his loan shark, but what even worse, find it difficult to admit to being in debt. Suffice to say that the Centre set up by Wear Prefecture, around 2009, there were only two requests. The situation however, is far more serious, as confirmed by interviews carried out in 1394 – the same period – from listening centers of the Foundation. ”
And so, in the name of an image and appearance to protect at all costs, many people end up choosing two ways: silence or, at worst, the use of lawlessness. And that is where they come into play, the usurers. But those behind these figures? Often these unsuspecting people – relatives, friends, but also many white-collar – but in some provinces – all those of Florence, Prato and Pistoia – hiding behind the market wear real criminal organizations.
In light of these considerations, therefore, appears more and more clear the true purpose of the Foundation: not just assist those in debt, but an ongoing commitment and concrete to the spread of legality. How? Who is indebted to facilitating access to loans and finance, providing the necessary guarantees to banks contracted; reorganizing family budgets, providing information and advice of a financial nature. All, with the center of its action, the person admits Marzucchi Mario, an initiative of the founding fathers and current administrator of Mercy Siena: “During these years, in the many interviews conducted, we have always tried to meet and greet, firstly, not presented to the requests, as the people who presents them. Know it sounds weird, but who is in serious economic difficulty feels the need to be listened to, not to feel alone. That’s why I thank especially all the volunteers who every day across the center of listening, not only offer advice and assistance, but also listening and attention to the person. ” Finance and ethics: a mix certainly not trivial, it could not remain anonymous: “The relationship that binds us to the Foundation Wear – Gabriel notes Mancini, president of the MPS Foundation – is firm and goes on for a long time: by that is, when we decided to gamble on a project that was still in its embryonic state. In recent years we have invested more than half a million euros, a considerable sum, but finds its justification in moral support, as well as financial, which the Foundation Wear offers to individuals and families in debt. And this attention to the person – to represent the Foundation – is a key that fits fully in the political attention to social development and to guide, even for next year, our choices. ” In short, the Foundation for the Prevention of wear Tuscany is a safe bet. By all volunteers, banks and public institutions.
Among new crisis and poverty: since 2009 by listening centers
That 2009 was a year of crisis it is confirmed by the statistics on almost 1,400 applications received for the centers. Data in hand, the main cause of debt stems from the effects of its economic crisis.
26% of applicants in fact, has asked its lending in conjunction with the state of crises. But not only. 12% turned to listening centers for losing – or stay visa – your job. This 38% but even if he says much, not saying anything. In fact there is a risk wear underwater world, and often surprising, as confirmed by Lelio Grossi: “One of the major causes of indebtedness to be found incorrect use of the money (17% ed): I think, for example, who living beyond their means, a phenomenon found mostly in the city of Siena, but also to those who so lightly, by making excessive purchases in installments. It seems incredible, but I have seen many families into debt because of a new refrigerator or a television again. ”
Reviewing the statistics, however, catches the eye as a cause for concern: among the causes of impoverishment are the separation and divorce (8% ed). A percentage which – though far from large numbers – however, please pause and reflect more carefully on one of the major problems of our day. The personal drama that follows the breakup of the marriage in fact – in all, the separation from children and from her home – it adds another: the economy. The abandonment of the conjugal roof requires a separate finding another home (translation: a rent to pay) requires – rightly – the maintenance of children (check out the folder) and the other spouse (more checks). And so, against separation, also an employee of good finishes at risk of poverty. And it is there, lurking where poverty and despair, which takes the germ of wear life. “Today the most serious problem – again Grossi – is precisely the new poverty. Not a time to get through the month were unemployed and poor long-running, but today, find themselves in difficulty are also many members of the middle class.
At the risk wear there are also many unexpected that, in many cases taken by fear and shame, they prefer to hide their economic difficulties. That’s why I invite anyone with a problem contact our listening centers where you will find privacy and absolute competence. I would remind the fact that many of our volunteers have spent working among the bank branches, and thus are able to provide advice and information. Finally, an issue of no small account, the service is totally free. “