How Many Bottom Lines is One Life Worth?

After two decades of insufficient work, scarce revenue, and meagre lifestyles, the weaver community of Sircilla was plagued with financial instability. To generate more income, these weavers invested in new weaving machinery. Whilst the looms increased their production of cloth, sales remained stagnant with no market for this increased production. This lethal combination of financial hardship and desperation left the community in much distress, resulting in suicides. This case study discusses this below-the-bottom-of-the-pyramid situation and the interventions that worked. It also provides students with the opportunity to experience policy makers' dilemmas through an analytical exercise.