Sremom Seng, Flower Farmer

New Business Loan Request

Loan Amount: US$500
Loan Term: 20 months

Description of business plan: Mrs. Seng Sremom, 29, and her husband, Mao Sophal, have been married for 2 years. They have one 13-month-old daughter. Until recently, they lived with Sremom's older brother and his family where they learned how to grow flowers. Now, they have a small, thatched home of their own and a neighbor has given them permission to farm his fallow land. Sophal also works as a construction mason, a skill he learned when only a teenager.

Sremom is requesting her first loan from MAXIMA in the amount of $500. She will use this loan to purchase flower transplants from neighbors to add to the few from her brother. In total, they plan to grow four different varieties of flowers. A portion of the loan will also be used to purchase fertilizer. From the time of planting, it will be 2-3 months before Sremom can begin picking the flowers. Some, she will bring to Phnom Penh to sell direct, others will be sold to a local buyer that visits the area. As the rotation of flowers will grow year-round, this will provide them with a steady income and financial independence.

Pon Chhum, Moto Repair + Washing

New Business Loan Request

Loan Amount: US$1,000
Loan Term: 20 months

Description of business plan: Mr. Chhum Pon, 46, and his wife, Nhem Phanny, have been married since 1983. They have five children, ages 8-25. Now, only the youngest daughter still lives at home and attends the local primary school. The rest are grown and married. Pon opened his business for repairing motos and bicycles two years ago. He later added a new service for moto spray-washing to increase profits. Phanny works tending her jasmine plants and also buys flowers from her neighbors to resell at the larger district market. She helped her family grow jasmine even as a girl, and has had her additional business of reselling for two years now. Prior to this, they were both vegetable farmers and rented their farm land from a neighbor. When he sold the land, Pon and Phanny were forced to find new work to support their family.

Pon is requesting his first loan from MAXIMA in the amount of $1,000. He will use this loan to purchase a water pump to more easily fill his tanks used for spray-washing from the river 200m behind their home. A portion of the loan will also be used to purchase parts for bicycle and moto repair. Additionally, Phanny will us this loan to purchase a 1-season contract for jasmine flowers. This contract will entitle her to care for her neighbors jasmine plants and pick an unlimited amount of flowers to sell, giving the family a stable income for many months to come. (Photo: Pon in front of water tanks)

Thyda Morm, Weaver

Update on Thyda Morm


Thyda, 35, and her husband, Sophal, live in a modest wood stilt home. Their home is on Koh Dach, the largest of the three islands in the Mekong outside of Phnom Penh. They invited us in and cleared a spot for to sit on the ubiquitous bamboo platform (that doubles as a sofa, table and bed) that everyone uses here. Thyda has been a weaver for 17 years, a skill she learned from her mother. Her husband is a weaver too and learned from Thyda six years ago. Before this he farmed, but now feels that he can earn a better income through weaving. One sister (also a weaver) with her son, and Thyda and Sophal's two children, ages 4 and 6, also share the home.

Thyda's loan of $300 is being repaid on schedule as of December. This is the third time she has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Thyda to buy raw silk in bulk from the markets in Phnom Penh. Weaving is painstaking work. Thyda says they are each able to produce about ten pieces a month. They sell their goods to the local buyer for around $11 USD each, earning them each approx. $1.50 USD profit per day. Previously, the family also raised pigs, but has stopped for now because several of them died from an illness and they are afraid to risk the loss again. Thyda says they may decide to resume this again if they take a future loan.

Thyda complained that the cost of goods has been on the rise - everything from silk to rice to other foods is increasing, but their profits have not. She worries about being able to provide well for the family in the future. Now, her sister's son is of university age and the cost of providing for his basic needs at school is a burden. Thyda and Sophal want their own children to have a good education too. They hope that things will continue to improve so that the next generation will have more opportunity for their lives.

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Muk Kampoul district, Cambodia
Dec 16, 2007

Visith An, Farmer

Update on Visith An


Visith, 27, was away tending his fields the day we visited. His wife, Sopheap, and her mother graciously welcomed us in to their home. Their home is on Koh Dach, the largest of the three islands in the Mekong outside of Phnom Penh. We sat in the open living/ work space on the ground floor, underneath the raised wooden home above as we asked about the impacts of the loan. Sopheap, age 23, and her mother, 67, are both weavers. As is typical on their island, mother taught daughter to weave as a young girl after school. More recently, Sopheap has taught Visith how to weave too and he now helps during the off-season from farming. They have one daughter, age 2.

Visith's loan of $500 is being repaid on schedule as of December. This is the first time he has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled them to pay for the preparation of their fields and papaya seeds. The bulk of the loan, though, was used to purchase materials for weaving. They weave with both silk and cotton and sell each piece to the local buyer for $5 and $10 each respectively. The women complained that profits are down now, from $9-12, as the buyer says he's had to decrease his sales price too to compete with the other middlemen. They wish that they had some leverage, but for now they hope that prices will increase again. In the meantime, farming is helping them to supplement the family's total income.

The women explained that it's currently the season for planting papaya and showed us the remaining transplants which Visith has left to do. They rent this land and pay with trade of ripe papaya. It will be 6 months to 1 years' time before they can begin picking the papaya for profit. They have two different middlemen they work with who come to the ferry stop to buy, saving them the hassle of transport in to Phnom Penh.

When asked what their hopes are for the future, Sopheap responded that she wants to provide well for her daughter (and possible future children) and give her a good education. Her mother answered with the memory of times that were not so good in her country - she simply hopes to have enough food to eat every day. (Photo: Sopheap and mother)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Muk Kampoul district, Cambodia
Dec 16, 2007

Phalla Keo, Mini-mart

Update on Phalla Keo


Phalla, 25, sat smiling behind her table of produce for sale when we arrived. She rose and left a neighbor in charge as she ushered us back to her home. Her home is on Koh Dach, the largest of the three islands in the Mekong outside of Phnom Penh. Phalla has been selling groceries for the past four years. She also farms and raises pigs and cows with her husband for added income. They have two children, ages 4 and 6, and another one on the way. Phalla's mother also lives with the family. She is a weaver and rice farmer.

Phalla's loan of $600 is being repaid on schedule as of December. This is the seventh time she has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Phalla to keep her small store stocked. She carries a variety of vegetables, noodles, eggs and other products which she buys in Phnom Penh and resells in the village. It's a good business for her as it allows her to be at home taking care of the family and pigs. A portion of the loan was also used to purchase packaged food for the pigs. Phalla's husband drives a moto the half-hour trip to Phnom Penh every day to buy leftover slop from two different restaurants. They then boil this down and mix it with the expensive packaged food. Phalla tells us that she bought 18 pigs with the profits from her previous loan, but that 7 died from illness. She hopes to grow the remainder of the pigs over the next 4 months to 70 kilos each which will earn her 7,000 Riel ($1.75 USD) per kilo.

In the future, Phalla hopes that business will continue to grow so that she can provide a good education for her children. She would also like to begin stocking additional items to continue expanding her small store and better compete with others in the village.

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Muk Kampoul district, Cambodia
Dec 16, 2007

Sarorn Kun, Weaver

Update on Sarorn Kun


Sarorn, 47, and welcomed us in to her home the other day and wiped off a spot for us to sit on the ubiquitous bamboo sofa/bed/table. We sat in the open living/ work space on the ground floor, underneath the raised thatched home above. Sarorn is married with five children, ages 7-18, who are all attending local schools. Her husband is a construction contractor who builds homes in the commune. Sarorn learned to weave from her mother nearly 30 years ago. She says it's been good for her as it allows her to be at home raising her family.

Sarorn's loan of $200 is being repaid on schedule as of December. This is the third time she has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Sarorn to purchase her silk thread from the local middleman in advance, thereby increasing her profits. Previously she had purchased both her loom and materials on credit and received minimal compensation for her labors. Now she is able to earn around $2.00 USD per day.

Though Cambodia woven goods are in increasing demand, both from locals and tourists, the prices the buyers pay for completed products have not compensated the weavers for this increase. Most weavers we met, like Sarorn, complained that they require the loans just to get by as any profits they make must go back in to purchasing new materials or providing for their family's basic needs. Still, she says, her situation has improved and she is happy.

In the future, Sarorn will teach her young daughter to weave though she emphasized she wants her to have a good education. That way, she can make the choice to do what she wants. She is saving to give her sons a higher education too. Her oldest son told us that he wants to be a teacher. (Photo: Sarorn with children)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Khsach Kandal district, Cambodia
Dec 5, 2007

Yorn Chim, Weaver

Update on Yorn Chim


Yorn, 67, was sitting with two of her daughters in the open living/work space under her simple, stilt home when we arrived. Two beautiful, little girls were in the women's laps and stared wide-eyed at the barang (foreigner) in their midst. Yorn has been a weaver for nearly 40 years. She learned as a young girl, but later stopped (as most were forced to) during the Khmer Rouge regime. She was able to begin again in 1979, but has now stopped for good because her failing eyesight no longer allows her to do this meticulous work. Yorn has taught all three of her daughters how to weave and she now assists them with winding thread in preparation for the loom. Though Yorn is a widow, she's not left alone in her old age as all her girls are nearby. One daughter still lives at home with her with her husband and two children.

Yorn's loan of $800 is being repaid on schedule as of December. (This loan was incorrectly posted in the amount of $600, so the balance of the loan was covered through other funds available to this MFI) This is the sixth time she has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Yorn to buy raw silk in bulk from the markets in Phnom Penh and thereby increase her profits. She is happy that she can help her daughters in this way as they have taken such good care of her since their father died.

Weaving is painstaking work. Yorn's daughters say they are able to produce one piece of more complex silk weaving every 7-10 days. A basic cotton piece takes 3 days. The silk can be sold to the local middleman for $45 per Kben (2 piece set), and the cotton for $5.50 each. This earns them around $2.50 per person/per day. In the future, Yorn hopes to purchase an additional loom and hire an employee to weave with them. She also hopes that her grandchildren will have the opportunity for a better education than she was able to provide for her own children. (Photo: Yorn with daughters and granddaughters)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Khsach Kandal district, Cambodia
Dec 5, 2007

Heang Loeng, Weaver

Update on Heang Loeng


Heang, 53, and her daughter welcomed us in to their home the other day. We sat in the open living/ work space on the ground floor, underneath the raised wooden home above. Heang and her daughter weave at home, like many of the women in their commune on an island in the Mekong outside of Phnom Penh. Heang has three children, ages 28-33, who are all grown and married with children of their own. As Heang is a widow, and family is of the utmost importance to Khmers, one daughter (with her husband and two children) still lives with her. The entire time we spoke, Heang hugged her shy, young granddaughter who was sitting contentedly in her lap.

Heang's loan of $1,000 is being repaid on schedule as of December. This is the fifth time she has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Heang to pay for the preparation of two looms and buy raw silk in bulk. A portion of the loan was also used to purchase a motor-bike so that her son-in-law, a machine repairman, can more easily commute to work.

Heang and her daughter have been weaving for nearly 15 years. Previously, Heang was a farmer. Her daughter began to learn weaving from a neighbor as a teenager and soon began teaching her mother. Now, they are both accomplished weavers and use this as the primary means for supporting the family. It takes them 7-10 days to complete one of the more complicated patterns which they sell to the local middleman for $50-60 per Kben (2 piece set). This earns them each around $2.50 USD per day. Heang complains that profits are down right now as the buyer is paying a little less for the finished product, though material costs have stayed the same. The only leverage Heang has is to buy her materials in bulk as she, as with most weavers we've spoken with, finds it too time-consuming and difficult to travel to Phnom Penh to sell her goods directly to the retailers. This is why the availability of a loan has become so invaluable to her.

In the future, both women's greatest desire is for the children to have the opportunity to stay in school and have a good education.

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Khsach Kandal district, Cambodia
Dec 5, 2007

Srey Nien Phy, Weaver

Update on Srey Nein Phy


Srey Nein, 34, was beaming from ear to ear as she welcomed us in to her home the other day. She remembered me, the barang (foreigner), from a visit I had with her neighbor a few weeks back and was more than happy to answer our questions about the impact the loan has had on her business and life. (The neighbor is also a Kiva/Maxima borrower and had recommended them to her) Srey Nein is married with two children, ages 7 and 16, who are both attending local schools. Her husband is a policeman in a neighboring commune (group of 3 villages) and also farms for the family's own use.

Srey Nein's loan of $1,000 has been completely repaid as of December (In only 2 months!). This is the first time she has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Srey Nein to buy raw silk in bulk and thereby increase her profits. She explained that previously she purchased through the local middleman, but now finds it more cost effective to travel to Phnom Penh to buy her silk direct. This has been a considerable cost savings and she is quickly expanding her business. Having never had access to a large amount of capital before, Srey Nein was able to not only get a better price for her materials, but buy an additional loom and hire one employee too!

Now that she is able to earn more, Srey Nein hopes to continue borrowing so that she can purchase one more loom and hire a second employee. She also hopes to be able to save for her children's future so that they have the opportunity to be whatever they want. (Photo: Srey Nein with daughter)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Khsach Kandal district, Cambodia
Dec 5, 2007

Comments

What a wonderful success story. I hope Srey continues to prosper and is able to provide a secure future for her family.

Posted by eLiz from Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Dec 5, 2007


This story is truly delightful. Congratulations Srey on being about to do so much so quickly. I hope to see your name again as you continue to grow your business.

Peace

Posted by Rev. Cori from Miami, FL
Dec 6, 2007


Sucesso !

Posted by Ricardo from Brazil
Dec 6, 2007

Srey Moch Aeng, Weaver

Update on Srey Moch Aeng


Srey Moch, 31, and her husband, Voeun Him, welcomed us in to the bustling work area under their stilt home. Five looms sat threaded with brilliantly colored silk. There was the distinguishable clatter of wood against wood (from the multiple screen templates that are set up to create the varying patterns on the cloth) from several women weaving. Nearby, an older man and woman, Srey Moch's parents, sat spinning thread on to wheels. It was the largest weaving operation we'd yet visited in the area, started by one woman - Srey Moch. She's an ambitious woman who learned to weave from a neighbor when only 15 years old. It was 9 years ago that she taught her husband to weave, and then other village women. Before borrowing from Maxima she had only two looms. Now, seven loans later, she has slowly added one loom at a time to expand her business.

Srey Moch's latest loan of $500 has been completely repaid as of December. This is several months ahead of schedule. This loan, funded through Kiva, enabled Srey Moch to buy raw silk in bulk at the markets in Phnom Penh and thereby increase her profits. Both Srey Moch and her husband can weave quickly - one piece every 2-3 days. The women she trains typically take four days per piece, for which they are paid $3/each and get free on-the-job training. If the quality is good, each piece can be sold to the local middleman for $15 USD per piece. A portion of the loan was also used for home improvements and to purchase additional products for the small mini-mart they also operate in front of their home.

Srey Moch is now teaching her young daughter to weave after school. She has a son who also attends the local primary school. In the future, she would like to borrow again to purchase one more loom and additional weaving materials. After that, I think she's going to need to build an extension!

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Khsach Kandal district, Cambodia
Dec 5, 2007

Lorn Chea, Farmer

New Business Loan Request

Loan Amount: US$1,000
Loan Term: 20 months

Description of business plan: Mrs. Chea Lorn, 47, and her husband have been married since 1998. They have seven children, ages 4-30. Two are still in school, but the others are grown and working. Lorn is a farmer and weaver, two skills she utilizes seasonally. She learned to weave from her mother when she was a girl and has now passed on that skill to her own daughter. Her husband also farms.

Lorn is requesting a fourth loan from MAXIMA in the amount of $1,000. She will use this loan to pay for the plowing and preparation of their fields. Lorn has already sprouted her tomato, watermelon and potatoes, and the transplants are growing quickly in the shaded area she's prepared in front of her home. She will also purchase papaya for planting. Everything is almost ready to plant and she estimates it will take nearly a month to get everything in the ground. It will then be 3 months before she can begin picking the vegetables and a full year for the papaya. In the meantime, they will support the family with money from the loan. As an added source of income, a portion of this loan will also be used to purchase silk materials and pay for the preparation of the loom for her daughter to weave.

Loan Raised: $1,000

Lenders to this business:
Kay Columbia, MD KivaFriends.org
Olivia
TERRY CALGARY, Alberta
Joe Beaverton, OR
Laura Burlington, NC
LAS VEGAS, NV
Lending Hands Tallahassee, FL United States
Jennifer Annapolis, MD
Sarbjit San Francisco, CA
Hai Aliso Viejo, CA
San Antonio, TX
elaine bloomfield hills, MI
Minerva BELTSVILLE, MD
Judy Wyoming, MI
Girl Power loan club los angeles, CA
Nightfall Oklahoma City, OK
Flo Rocklin, CA
Danny
Scott Warrington, PA
William San Marcos, CA
Kenan
Naveen rochester hills, MI
William Saint Joseph, MO
Kenneth Federal Way, WA
Sandra Morgan Hill, CA
Walter Rodney, Ontario
Theresa Longmont, CO
Mercedes Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Zahava Hillside, NJ
John and Emily Bellingham, Washington
Cathy Bellingham, WA
ivey lafayette, AL
erik & jennifer Seattle, WA
Denise Prince George, British Columbia
Richard Tivoli, NY
Chris Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Canada
Cynthia New York, NY
Arsenia Covina, CA

Sovann Ek, Farmer

Update on Sovann Ek


Pov, 42, and his elderly aunt welcomed us into their home the other day. His wife, Sovann, was away for the day running errands, but he was more than happy to sit and answer our questions about the impact the loan has had on their lives. Like his parents before him, and their parents, Pov is a farmer. He's been doing it all his life. Actually, he's a jack-of-all-trades as we were soon to discover. Besides farming, Pov also works as a moto-taxi driver in the off-season. Even more impressively, he's skilled at playing a traditional instrument called "Ta Khe", and drums, both of which he makes himself! He has a regular gig, with a few other village men, playing at a lunch for tourists that visit the island in addition to playing for various local festivals and events. Pov and Sovann have four children, ages 12-28, three of whom are attending the local school. Their oldest daughter is married and lives at home with her young daughter. His aunt also lives with them and helps with cooking and taking care of the home.

Sovann's loan of $700 is being repaid on schedule as of December. This is the third time she has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled them to pay for the plowing and preparation of their fields for planting. The cost of plowing is 6,000 Riel ($1.50 USD) per square meter, which adds up quickly for a sizable plot of land. Now, they own two of the three plots that they farm and rent a third for $300 - 500 per year. Throughout the year they are able to plant three different cycles of tomatoes and corn. They also grow bananas. They have a local buyer who comes to their farm every day during picking time to purchase the produce. Though prices are constantly fluctuating due to supply and demand, they estimate they make about 50% profit for the money spent on the farm.

In the future, Pov hopes to save enough money so that they can purchase additional land (instead of renting) and to expand his crops to include papaya, which is a more costly item to grow, but reaps higher profits. He and Sovann also hope to save enough money to rent an apartment for their oldest daughter to live in Phnom Penh and sell the produce directly. As for their young sons, they're pushing them to stay in school and get good grades so that they can eventually attend university and have the opportunity to be whatever they want. (Photo: Pov playing the Ta Khe)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Khsach Kandal district, Cambodia
Dec 2, 2007


Comments

This brings joy to me heart to see the difference we can make to help people out.

Posted by billnewcomer from portland, oregon
Dec 3, 2007

Ny Phat, Grocery Store

Update on Ny Phat


Ny, 32, greeted us in front of her busy grocery store / eatery the other day. As is common here, the store is an extension of the open front room of her house with additional display tables in front. Ny motioned to us to sit down on the ubiquitous bamboo wood platform that everyone uses here. There were children running around and old women purchasing produce with the traditional, checked-pattern cloth called "krama" over the heads. We began asking Ny about her life, family and the effects of her loan between transactions with customers.

Ny's loan of $700 is being repaid on schedule as of December. This is the fifth time she has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled her to purchase additional items for her grocery store as well as a new moto-scooter for her husband, a construction contractor, to get to and from work. Ny has been running this store for the past 8 years. She sells many items such as sauces, noodles, crackers, cookies, sodas, beer, gas cylinders, fresh meat and produce. What makes her store unique from the five others on the island though, is her small eatery. Here, locals can eat fresh-cooked Chinese noodles by day or sip coffee by night. It's a thriving business which keeps her busy from 7 AM 'til 9 PM every day. Every day too, she rises early to go to the larger district market to stock up on her fresh items.

In the future, Ny hopes that she will be able to borrow again to continue expanding her business. She plans to begin stocking rice and other items that are currently unavailable in the village. If business continues to prosper, she feels confident that she will be able to provide a good education for her two daughters, ages 5 + 9, so that they have the opportunity to be whatever they want. (Photo: Ny with daughters)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Khsach Kandal district, Cambodia
Dec 2, 2007

La Suong, Boat Builder

Update on La Suong


La, age 45, and wife Noeurn, 36, live in a modest wood and thatch stilt home. The day we visited, La was out working with his boat-building crew on the other side of the island, so we spoke with his wife. Noeurn is a weaver and stay-at-home mom. She weaves at home, like many of the women in her commune on an island in the Mekong outside of Phnom Penh. It's a skill she learned from her mother when she was young. Now she has passed on that learning to her oldest daughter. Noeurn and La have four children in total, ages 1-18, two of whom are attending the local school.

La's loan of $1,000 is being repaid on schedule as of December. This is the fourth time he has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled La to purchase materials for his trade. La has been a boat builder for more than 18 years. It's a skill he learned from his father as a young man. He works with a team of 10-20 men who are all partners. The size of the crew varies depending on the size of boat that has been commissioned - a smaller sized cargo boat or larger ferry boat. Typically, the buyer pays in advance for some of the material costs - wood, iron, motor parts - which seems logical as the sales cost of the boats ranges from $25,000 - $35,000 USD. This is much more money than all these men combined could earn in years! There are always unforeseen costs though, and this loan helped cover some of the added expenses. A portion of the loan was also used to purchase raw silk in bulk for Noeurn's weaving.

Noeurn confesses that La is getting older and won't be able to do this demanding work for many more years. She hopes that in the future they will be able to save enough money to open a small grocery store in front of their home and start raising pigs so that La won't have to work so hard. (Photo: Noeurn weaving)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Khsach Kandal district, Cambodia
Dec 2, 2007


Comments

La and Noeurn, we were glad to learn more about your work and we thank you for your regular payments on this loan. We had no idea the boats you work on were so large, La! We imagined small fishing boats, but not something as large as a ferry boat! This is hard work indeed, and we hope someday you can achieve your goal and start your grocery store and raise pigs. Noeurn, will you continue weaving even when you have your grocery store? We wish success and good health to your whole family.

Tami, thank you for this Journal, we always like hearing about the people we partner with and we appreciate your insightful comments. Thanks!

Posted by Diane and Charlie from Saratoga, California, USA
Dec 2, 2007

Thet Chay, Grocery Store

Update on Thet Chay


Thet, 20, greeted us in front of her small grocery store the other day. It was a busy morning with village women picking over the fresh produce displayed in baskets arranged on the floor. Sharing the floor space, the small store was packed with cases of beer and other goods. Bags of cookies, crackers, seasonings and shampoos hung from above. Thet and her mother (previously pictured) have been running this store for four years. Her husband is a moto-taxi driver (married in 2002), and they have one 4-year-old daughter.

Thet's loan of $500 is being repaid on schedule as of December. This is the third time they have taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Thet and her mother to purchase additional items for the store to better compete with the other village stores nearby. Every morning, Thet's mother travels to the larger district market to stock up on fresh meats and produce for the day. It's a good business for them as it allows the women to be at home together and take care of the family. A portion of the loan was also used to make necessary repairs to Thet's home. The simple stilt home at the rivers edge still retains its wooden front, but the other walls have been replaced with corrugated siding, and the roof is new.

Thet hopes that business will continue to prosper so that she can provide a good education for her daughter (and future children). She would also like to make future improvements to the home as well. (Photo: Thet with daughter at home)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Pon-Nhea Leu district, Cambodia
Dec 3, 2007

Ross Nhem, Banana + Jasmine Seller

New Business Loan Request

Loan Amount: US$1,000
Loan Term: 20 months

Description of business plan: Mrs. Ross NHEM, 51, has been married since 1981 and has two children. She lives in a modest home south of Phnom Penh along National Road 2. This area is very fertile and well-suited to growing fruit and flowers. Like some women in her village, Ross buys fresh jasmine flowers and bananas from a neighboring village to resell at markets in Phnom Penh. Bananas are a year-round treat in Cambodia and a few different varieties are grown. The jasmine flowers are typically sold to women who make offering arrangements used in Buddhist ceremonies and for jasmine tea.

Ross is requesting a third loan from MAXIMA in the amount of $1,000. She will use this loan to purchase jasmine and bananas in bulk to resell. She will also use a portion of the loan to buy additional products for her daughter, 23, to sell at the mini-mart in front of the family home while she tends to her two young children. Ross' son, 17, is currently studying at the local school and also attending night classes. Ross hopes that this new loan will enable her family to prosper and secure a better future for them all.


Loan Raised: $600

Lenders to this business:
festival Montreal, Quebec
William New York, NY United States
Baker Avenue Asset Management San Francisco, CA United States
Santa Clara, CA
Marianne Amersfoort,
Suzanne Portland, OR
Blake clovis, CA
Meditation7 Seattle, WA
Catherine Honolulu, HI
Los Osos, CA
Ken Northridge, CA
Michele M Rock Valley, IA
Diving Dolphins Sunnyvale, CA
Lanita Chicago, IL
Diana Toronto, Ontario
Debashish Montreal, Quebec
Jeff St. Louis, MO
Jeannette & Anh Oakland, CA United States
maggie calgary, alberta
Selah, WA
mike alexandria, VA
Annika Nederland, CO
lorena st. john's, Newfoundland
marco lorenzo Jacksonville, FL United States
Irene cambridge, MA
Maryellen oswego, IL
Columbus, OH

Houng Long, Fisherman

New Business Loan Request

Loan Amount: US$200
Loan Term: 10 months

Description of business plan: Mr. Long Houng, 52, has been married since 1983. He's been a fisherman for over 30 years, a skill he learned as a young man by watching other men in the village. His wife, Phon, has been farming for the same length of time. Almost every day Phon travels to Phnom Penh to sell their vegetables and fresh fish at the markets. They have nine children, ages 3-23, six of whom are attending school. The oldest two are employed.

Houng is requesting a first loan from MAXIMA in the amount of $200. He will use this loan to purchase a new fishing net ($100 USD) and repair his boat engine. Fishing is a profitable business, by Cambodian standards, but the upfront costs are high. This loan will enable Houng to continue his work and earn a good profit without sacrificing the family's standard of living.

Raised: $200

Lenders to this business:
Diane & Charlie Saratoga, CA

Kiva Friends.org
Joe Beaverton, OR

Savet Chhoeung, Farmer

New Business Loan Request

Loan Amount: US$250
Loan Term: 10 months

Description of business plan: Mrs. Chhoeung Savet, 46, and her husband, Hol Buntheoun, have been married since 1990 and have four children, ages 10-17. They are both farmers and have been planting and preparing their fields together since marrying. They also raise cows. Savet and Buntheoun both rent and own parts of the land they cultivate for growing potatoes, tomatoes, corn and jicama.

Savet is requesting a seventh loan from MAXIMA in the amount of $250. She will use this loan to pay for the plowing and preparation of their fields as well as vegetable seeds. Previous loans were also used for similar purpose. Savet says that it's difficult for them to save profits over the several months of monsoon, when they earn little income, for the larger upfront costs required for the winter planting. As they have been repaying loans successfully for so many years we feel confident that they will have no difficulty repaying this loan.


Loan Raised: $250

Lenders to this business:
Joe Beaverton, OR
Mary & Ed Newport Beach, CA
Frankfort, KY
Laura Burlington, NC
Daragh J. Farrell Hurlstone Park, New South Wales
Lending Hands Tallahassee, FL United States
Yogi Jonesboro, AR
Shari & Jim Exton, PA
Calgary, Alberta

Sophy Nuon, Weaver

Update on Sophy Nuon


Sophy, 42, smiled broadly as she welcomed us into her home, happy to answer our questions. We sat in the open living/ work space on the ground floor, underneath the raised wooden home above. Three looms sat nearby, threaded with brilliantly colored silk. Sophy has been a weaver for about 15 years. She weaves at home, like many of the women in her village on an island in the Mekong outside of Phnom Penh. She has eight children, seven of whom are still living at home. Two daughters, ages 17 and 18, weave with her. Two sons are grown and help farm. The youngest three still attend the local school. Sophy's husband is a fisherman and farmer of rice and vegetables.

Sophy's loan of $400 is being repaid on schedule as of November. This is the fifth time she has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Sophy to buy silk in bulk from one of the larger district markets. This now ensures that she can keep their three looms supplied and increase both productivity and profits. Each woman is able to produce one basic piece every two days. She sells their goods to the local buyer earning them a profit of around $2.50 USD per person/per day.

In addition to her children, Sophy also supports her elderly mother (she was resting in a hammock nearby). She explained that her ability to borrow money over the years has made many changes in her life. Previously, Sophy was a farmer, but she slowly learned to weave from a woman in a neighboring village. When her skill level was sufficient, she took out a loan for a loom and materials and began working herself. Later, with subsequent loans, she added a second loom and then a third and taught her daughters to weave too. Though her oldest children were only able to have a sixth-grade education, she feels confident that she will be able to support her youngest to now stay in school and have the opportunity to be whatever they want.

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Muk Kampoul district, Cambodia
Nov 21, 2007

Vannak Monh, Seamstress

Update on Vannak Monh


Vannak, 43, was sitting with a neighbor and two of her daughters on her new, paved front porch when we arrived. Her daughters had just come home from the local school, where five of her seven children are attending. Two older children, ages 20 + 23, work in the nearby garment factory. Vannak's husband is a construction worker.

Vannak's loan of $200 is being repaid on schedule as of November. This is the first time she has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. Previously, she had borrowed money from a bank but switched because it was time-consuming to go to Phnom Penh to make payments. She is very happy now borrowing through Maxima as they make house calls to collect the monthly payments. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Vannak to buy supplies to remodel their home. Previously, the home was of wood, raised on concrete stilts. Now, through the labors of Vannak's husband, the ground floor has been enclosed with brick and concrete construction to create more living space. They desperately needed this space, Vannak explained, as there are now 12 people living in the home, including her elderly parents and a cousin who was recently employed by the garment factory. The home remains modest, and I find it difficult to envision so many people living in such a small space, but many Khmers seem to get by with so little.

Things have been difficult for the family. Previously, Vannak had been a seamstress, but recently sold her sewing machine to put extra money towards the home remodel. Also, her son was injured in a chemical accident at the garment factory from inhaling noxious fumes. The factory covered his medical expenses, but they fear some of the damage to his throat may be permanent. Vannak hopes that the future will be brighter for her younger children and that the family will be able to save enough money to support them to stay in school. (Photo: Vannak with daughters and cousin)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Ta Khmao district, Cambodia
Nov 21, 2007

Youen Cheng, Fish Seller

New Business Loan Request

Loan Amount: US$600
Loan Term: 20 months

Description of business plan: Mrs. Youen CHENG, 37, has been married since 1988 and has five children, ages 6-18. One day a week she buys fresh jasmine flowers and bananas from a neighboring village to resell at markets in Phnom Penh. On other days, she stays at home taking care of her children. Her husband, 38, has been a fish seller for the past 20 years. Every day, he travels to a neighboring village where he buys fish directly from the fishermen. He drives an old moto-scooter around the commune (a collection of 3 villages), reselling the fish door-to-door.

Youen is requesting a second loan from MAXIMA in the amount of $600. She will use this loan to purchase a new moto-scooter for her husband's business to replace the old, unreliable one he is currently using. She also plans to use this new moto for her weekly trips into Phnom Penh. A portion of the loan will also be used to build a new, thatched home for the family. This new home, will only take one month to complete and they are already preparing the foundations. The balance of the loan will be used to purchase additional jasmine and bananas for Youen to resell.

Of their five children, all currently attend the local schools and three of them also take English lessons at a private school. With the help of this new loan, Youen hopes to continue expanding their businesses and save money to ensure their children are able to pursue higher education.

Raised: $600

Lenders to this business:
Baker Avenue Asset Management San Francisco, CA United States
Monique Rüsselsheim, Germany
Tim Brookfield, WI
Boise, ID
Chappaqua, NY
Evan New York, NY
Ken Northridge, CA
Minnetonka, MN
Suzanne Portland, OR
Oisín London, England United Kingdom
Boris Karlsruhe,
Jack New York, NY
Benny & Ing-Britt Malmø, Sweden
Radko Praha, Czech Republic
Ozone Park, NY
Helen Montclair, NJ
The Parkins Rustington, West Sussex United Kingdom
Amanda Mechanicsburg, PA
Lanita Chicago, IL
Rahel basel,
Suzanne and Kim Carnation, WA United States

Soeurn Kuy, Farmer

Update on Soeurn Kuy


Soeurn, 54, welcomed us in to her home the other day. Music was blaring from speakers next door as a wedding for a neighbor was just getting underway. The loan officer and I managed to detain her for a few minutes to ask her some questions about her life, family and the effects of her loan. Soeurn is married with eight children, though only three still live at home. Her husband helps with farming jasmine and taking care of the pigs.

Soeurn's loan of $500 is being repaid on schedule as of November. This is the seventh time she has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia and the effects the multiple loans have had on the family's standard of living are evident. Their home is of concrete and the interior furnishings of carved wood - an upgrade to the one-room, wooden dwellings of their neighbors. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Soeurn to purchase four new baby pigs and their feed. The balance of the loan was used to purchase young jasmine plants for her garden and cut blossoms from other women in the village.

One baby pig costs $30 USD, but after five months of care and feeding each is worth $150 or more. It's less than $1/day profit, but the business allows her to be at home to tend the jasmine garden and work on her other enterprises. One day a week, two of her daughters who still live at home, ages 20 and 24, travel to Phnom Penh to sell the flowers at the larger markets. Depending on the season, they can sell these jasmine blossoms for 10,000 to 40,000 Riel per Kilo ($2.50 to $10 USD). The total amount sold varies throughout the year though so it's difficult to estimate average profits.

In the future, Souern hopes to borrow again to continue expanding her business and ensure that her youngest child can pursue a higher education.

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Kean Svay district, Cambodia
Nov 19, 2007

Sophath Mao, Jasmine Farmer

Update on Sophath Mao


Sophath and her daughter, Srey Aun, welcomed us in to their home the other day. Sophath was rocking her newborn grandchild, Srey Aun's baby, in a hammock while we talked. She began with a bit of family history - she's been widowed for three years and has five children who are now all grown and married. Srey Aun is the only one still living at home with her and she's happy for that as she enjoys helping with the baby.

Sophath's loan of $500 is being repaid on schedule as of November. This is the fifth time she has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Sophath to buy 200 additional jasmine plants for her garden. The cost for each small plant is 700 Riel (0.18 USD) and in 3 months time the bushes are large enough to begin bearing flowers for picking. It takes up to a year for them to bloom prolifically and each blooming season lasts for around 7 months. During this time, Srey Aun journeys to the markets in Phnom Penh by moto-scooter to sell the flowers (which they make into offering arrangements used in Buddhist ceremonies) to vendors. Some flowers are also used for jasmine tea.

Jasmine prices fluctuate dramatically throughout the year, they explained. During the rainy season the flowers are in abundance and highly scented, but during the dry season the supply is so low that sale prices can quadruple from 10,000 to 40,000 Riel per Kilo ($2.50 to $10 USD). The women also purchase bananas from farmers in their village to resell. The Cambodian climate is well-suited for bananas, and though the profit margins are low, they are able to earn a steady income year-round.

In the future, Sophath hopes to continue expanding her jasmine garden and also begin purchasing a larger variety of fruits to resell.

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Kean Svay district, Cambodia
Nov 19, 2007

Saroeurn Ruos, Mini-mart

Update on Saroeurn Ruos


Saroeurn, 56, greeted us in front of her small mini-mart the other day. (The store is simply a couple of tables with items displayed on them and others hanging from above) She cleared a spot for the loan officer and I to sit and motioned for her daughter to take over. As we asked her about her life, family and the effects of her loan, several other children and grandchildren who were sitting nearby gazed at us with open curiosity.

Saroeurn's loan of $1,000 is being repaid on schedule as of November. This is the third time she has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Saroeurn to purchase new items for her store to better compete with the other village stores nearby. The mini-mart is stocked with a variety of food and sundry items - Produce, sugar, seasonings, rice crackers, cigarettes, eggs and ice. She tries to keep an edge over competition with unique items like homemade wine and shrimp cakes. Saroeurn also used a portion of her loan to purchase jasmine flowers which her daughter, 24, resells in Phnom Penh.

Saroeurn has been married for 28 years. Her husband, 55, is a construction worker. Of their nine children, ages 10 - 24, five have stopped school and work to help support the family. One son is still in school and studies English in Phnom Penh on the weekends. Three children are married with children of their own and live independently. With their combined income, Saroeurn feels her family is doing well. She hopes that in the future, if business continues to improve, they won't have to borrow money again and may even save enough to buy a moto-scooter.

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Kean Svay district, Cambodia
Nov 19, 2007

Eim Thon, Farmer

Update on Eim Thon


Eim welcomed us up in to her simple thatched, stilt home and pleasantly answered our questions about the impact the loan has had on her life. She's of undetermined age as many people in the rural areas previously kept poor records of births, especially during the Khmer Rouge regime. Eim guesses she's between 29 - 39, but I'd hedge towards the latter. She's married with four children.

Eim's loan of $300 is being repaid on schedule as of November. This is the first time she has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. She says that she was initially very nervous to borrow money, but her sister had previously taken a loan with Maxima and recommended it. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has allowed her to purchase fertilizers and pesticides for their farm. They also bought a small pig which they will fatten and resell.

Eim's been farming since she was only 15 years old, and began by helping her parents. Her husband also grew up farming and helps with the business when the season is in full-swing. During the off-season, he works as a mason in the neighboring village. They also raise cows. Eim says they're able to plant year-round, though the size of their plot of land varies seasonally due to flooding. Right now, the water levels are higher than normal so it will probably be another 6 weeks before they can plant the bulk of their land. Throughout the year they fluctuate between varying crops of fruits and vegetables - long beans, french beans, bananas + cucumber are but a few. A local buyer comes to their farm every day to purchase produce to resell at markets in Phnom Penh. Though prices are constantly fluctuating due to supply and demand, she estimates they make about 50% profit for the money spent on the farm.

Now that they earn a better income, Eim says that the family is able to visit private doctors when needed and have a better standard of living. In the future, she wishes that they had more opportunity to give their children a good education and a chance at a different life, but is resigned that it's not likely. Of their four children, one daughter, age 18, completed 9th grade before going to work in the local government-run garment factory. The other three children are all still in school and the oldest helps with farming in the afternoon. She foresees that they will all probably follow in the farming tradition.

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Kean Svay district, Cambodia
Nov 13, 2007


Comments

Thanks for the update, I hope everything goes well with planting the remainder of their land.

I pray for health and prosperity for Eim's family and all of Cambodia. Good luck.

Posted by Dave from Canada
Nov 14, 2007

Siem Morm, Farmer

Update on Siem Morm


Siem, a widow at age 53, smiled broadly as she welcomed us into her home the other day. Her daughter and a friend were sitting on the ground filling homemade, banana-leaf pots with dirt for transplanting tomato seedlings (See photo). I watched, enthralled, as they repeated the procedure numerous times and then moved a tray-full of the delicate plants into a nearby greenhouse. Talk about resourcefulness!

Siem's loan of $500 is being repaid on schedule as of November. This is the first time she has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. Previously, she had borrowed money from a bank but switched because it was time-consuming to go to Phnom Penh to make payments. She is very happy now borrowing through Maxima as they make house calls to collect the monthly payments. This has been an invaluable time-saver for her so that she doesn't lose time from her work. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled her to purchase fertilizers and pesticides for her farm. She also used a portion of the loan to repair her irrigation pump.

Like her parents before her, and their parents, Siem is a farmer. She's been doing it for over 30 years and says the work comes easily for her as it's all she's ever known. As Siem explained it, she's able to plant year-round, though the size of her plot of land varies seasonally due to flooding. Throughout the year she fluctuates between varying crops of fruits and vegetables - long beans, tomatoes, bananas and squash are but a few. A local buyer comes to her home every day to purchase her produce. Here's an example of a typical cycle - 6 weeks ago, Siem planted long beans. It's now time to harvest, and for the next month she'll be able to pick 50-70 Kilos on an average day! Though prices are constantly fluctuating due to supply and demand, Siem estimates she makes about 50% profit for the money spent on the farm. However, she says that the income is only enough to cover the family's basic living expenses and is regretful that she wasn't able to provide as good an education for her children as she had once hoped.

Of her eight children, 2 daughters are married and away from home. Another works in the local government-run garment factory. Her youngest daughter, 14, is still in school and helps her in the afternoons. All four sons are living at home and farm with her. As the future has already been determined for the majority of her children, her main focus now is on her youngest and for improving the business. She hopes that when this loan has been repaid she will take another to build a new toilet (outhouse) and make other improvements to their home.

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Kean Svay district, Cambodia
Nov 12, 2007


Comments

Thank you Tami for the beautifully detailed description of Siem Morm and her children. It's excellent to hear how she is using her loan in a manner that directly improves the situation of her children in less than a generation. Keep it coming!

Best, Jordyan

Posted by Jordyan Edmiston from San Francisco, California
Nov 16, 2007

Pon-lork Yun, Weaver

Update on Pon-lork Yun


When we arrived at the home of Pon-lork, 27, the loan officer and I could barely be heard above the clatter of power looms all around. The village of Kean Svay is known for its production of "kro-mah", the ubiquitous checked cloth of Cambodia that's used for everything from a head wrap, to sarong, to satchel and more. Kro-mah don't demand the delicacy of weaving with silk so the women of the village switched over to using power looms several years ago to increase their output.

Pon-lork's loan of $1,000 is being repaid on schedule as of November. This is the first time she has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled her to purchase cotton thread in bulk from Phnom Penh and thereby increase her profits. The cost of thread for one loom is $300 USD. With this, it is possible to produce around 1,200 kro-mah. Pon-lork also used a portion of the loan to buy a used loom ($350 USD, for a total of two) which she now hires an employee (neighbor) to help her run for 4,000 Riel ($1 USD per day). In a typical week, Pon-lork says she can weave between 400-500 kro-mah. She brings these to one of the large markets in Phnom Penh where she can sell them to the vendors for 1,550 Riel a piece (0.38 USD).

When I asked Pon-lork how long she's been weaving, she explained that she's only been doing this for 2 years. Her mother started 3 years ago and found it profitable, so Pon-lork began learning from her in the evenings. A year later, she quit her job at the local government-run garment factory and bought her first loom. She says that now that she was able to buy a second loom, thanks to the loan, profits have increased even more and their income is good. Her family can now even afford to visit private doctors when they're sick. Pon-lork is married with two young children, ages 6 and 8, who are both attending the local primary school. The oldest is now also taking English lessons at a private school.

In the future, Pon-lork hopes to continue expanding her business to ensure that she will be able to provide a good education for her children. It is her goal to save enough so that they can be schooled in Phnom Penh and have more opportunity.

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Kean Svay district, Cambodia
Nov 12, 2007


Comments

Hello Pon-Lork,
Hope business is good and the children are OK, it's great to hear you're doing well. Wish you good luck from France.
Sandrine, Thomas (7) and Mimi (2)

Posted by sandrine, thomas and mimi gognau from France
Nov 23, 2007

Sokhom Un, Farmer

Update on Sokhom Un


Sokhom, age 54, and husband Pheng Sot, 63, welcomed us into their home the other day. We sat in the open living/ work space on the ground floor, underneath the raised wooden home above. Their daughter, 15, stood nearby feeding kindling in to a rustic stove, taking over cooking while Sokhom answered our questions about the impact the loan has had on their lives. Like her parents before her, and their parents, Sokhom is a farmer. It's the only work both she and her husband have ever known. She enjoys farming and says the work comes easily for her as she's been doing it her whole life.

Sokhom's loan of $300 is being repaid on schedule as of November. This is the first time she has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. Previously, they had borrowed money from other MFI's but switched because it was time-consuming to go to Phnom Penh to make payments. She is very happy now borrowing through Maxima as they make house call's to collect the monthly payments. This has been an invaluable time-saver for them so that they don't lose time from their work. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled them to purchase fertilizers and pesticides for their farm.

As Sokhom explained it, they are able to plant year-round, though the size of their plot of land varies seasonally due to flooding. Throughout the year they fluctuate between crops of vegetables and flowers - eggplant, basil, papaya, tuberose + cockscomb are but a few. Depending of the size of their crop at a given time, they sometimes bring the produce in to Phnom Penh to sell direct and other times sell to a local buyer who comes to their home. Though prices are constantly fluctuating due to supply and demand, they estimate they make about 50% profit for the money spent on the farm.

Before Sokhom and Pheng Sot were able to borrow money, they say they were very poor. Now that they are able to earn a better income though, they're able to visit doctors when needed and have a better standard of living. In the future, she wishes that they had more opportunity to give their children a good education and a chance at a different life, but is resigned that it's not likely. Two of her three daughters are already working in the local government-run garment factory, and she foresees that her youngest will probably do the same, unless she chooses to follow in the farming tradition. (Photo: Sokhom and daughter in basil field)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Kean Svay district, Cambodia
Nov 12, 2007

Saran Rous, Weaver

Update on Saran Rous


Saran, age 44, was sitting with several women of multiple generations and a small herd of children when we arrived at her home. I felt as if we were interrupting their "girl time". Regardless, Saran scooted them off to the side to make room for us and was willing to openly answer our questions with a dozen ears listening in. I soon found out that they were all family. Saran currently weaves with one daughter. Another, sitting nearby, also weaves but has stopped temporarily to care for her two newborn twins. She has three other daughters who are all attending the local primary school. She also has a son who's a construction worker in Malaysia (he learned this trade from his father). Her elderly mother, who was also sitting nearby, also lives with them.

Saran's loan of $250 is being repaid on schedule as of November. This is the first time she has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Saran to purchase her silk thread from the local middleman in advance, thereby increasing her profits. Previously she had purchased both her loom and materials on credit from the middleman and received minimal compensation when she provided the finished product. Now she is able to earn around $1.50 USD per day for her labors.

In the future, Saran hopes that she will be able to save enough money so that she at least can give her three youngest daughters a secondary school education. She confesses that job options are limited for girls from the villages, but even if they become weavers like her she wants them to be educated. (Photo: Saran, daughters, mother and grandchildren)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Khsach Kandal district, Cambodia
Nov 12, 2007


Comments

Thank you for the update! It is great to hear how this loan is helping Saran and her family.

Saran, I am honored to assist you in this small way. Best of luck with your weaving and hopes that your business will continue to thrive so that you are able to send your daughters to school.

Posted by Claire from Colorado USA
Nov 12, 2007

Srey Aun Peang, Weaver

Update on Srey Aun Peang


Srey Aun, age 21, smiled shyly as she welcomed us into her home. As we sat down, a pantless toddler walked towards the house, crying, and she picked him up. She's a young mother and obviously devoted to her son. Throughout the interview he repeatedly vied for her attention. Srey Aun has been weaving for 3 years now with the help of a neighbor who taught both she and her sister.

Srey Aun's loan of $100 is being repaid on schedule as of November. This is the first time she has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled her to purchase her silk thread from the local middleman in advance, thereby increasing her profits. Previously she had purchased both her loom and materials on credit and received minimal compensation for her labors. Now she is able to earn around $1.50 USD per day. Srey Aun's husband works two seasonal jobs as construction worker and rice farmer, also helping to support the family.

When our conversation turned towards her hopes for the future, Srey Aun explained that both she and her husband only have a sixth grade education. It is their biggest hope that they be able to save enough money to support their children's education through secondary school and beyond to give them a better opportunity for the future.

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Khsach Kandal district, Cambodia
Nov 12, 2007

Sokhorn Sorn, Weaver

Update on Sokhorn Sorn


Sokhorn, age 34, and her husband, 34, smiled broadly as they welcomed us into their home the other day. Sokhorn unrolled a woven mat for us, and we took off our shoes and sat down to ask her some questions. She's has been weaving for around 10 years - a skill she learned from her neighbor. They have two young children, ages 4 and 8. Sokhorn's husband is a farmer, and also does some construction worker seasonally.

Sokhorn's loan of $300 is being repaid on schedule as of November. This is the third time she has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Sokhorn to get a better price for raw silk as it is now more cost effective to travel to Phnom Penh and buy in bulk. Ultimately, she is now able to make a greater profit per piece for her weaving.

A portion of the loan was also used to make home repairs which they were able to do themselves. The downstairs area of the home which serves as an open living/work area (as typical of all the homes in this area) is now enclosed with bamboo slats to help keep the rain out during the monsoons. Many weavers we've met have complained that profits decrease seasonally. Because looms are typically in the open, it's impossible to weave when it's raining. Additionally, the moisture in the air causes the fragile silk threads to break and leads to minor flaws in the finished product where the threads have been re-tied. Buyers look for these flaws and pay the weavers accordingly at a reduced rate.

Sokhorn and her husband are happy with their upgraded home. In the immediate future, they hope to take another loan to build a new bathroom (outhouse). Ultimately though, they hope to save enough money to be able to support their children to stay in school so that they have the opportunity to be whatever they want. (Photo: Sokhorn with her family)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Khsach Kandal district, Cambodia
Nov 12, 2007

Ya Phang, Weaver

Update on Ya Phang


Ya, age 55, and her husband, 59, smiled shyly as they welcomed us into their home. We sat in the open living/ work space on the ground floor, underneath the raised wooden home above. They have five children (not 4 as previously reported), three of whom are still living at home. Two daughters are grown and working in Phnom Penh. One daughter, 17, is attending the local secondary school. Another daughter and their only son are both weavers. Ya's husband is a farmer and fisherman.

Ya's loan of $150 is being repaid on schedule as of November. This is the third time she has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Ya to get a better price for raw silk as it is now more cost effective to travel to Phnom Penh and buy in bulk. Cambodia woven goods are in increasing demand, both from locals and tourists. However, the costs of silk materials are on the rise and the prices the buyers pay for completed products have not compensated the weavers for this increase. Most weavers we met, like Ya, complained that they require the loans just to get by as any profits they make must go back in to purchasing new materials or providing for their family's basic needs.

A portion of the loan was also used to purchase a new loom, for a total of three (previous loans were also used for the same purpose), so that they are now all able to weave full-time and increase their profits. Ya and her children weave a type of color-shifting silk that they are able to sell to the local buyer. This earns them around $2 profit per person, per day.

In the future, if Ya's business continues to grow, she hopes to save enough money to be able to support her youngest daughter to attend university, so that she has the opportunity to be whatever she wants. (Photo: Son weaving)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Khsach Kandal district, Cambodia
Nov 12, 2007

Phos Sok, Weaver

Update on Phos Sok


Phos, age 39, welcomed us into her home the other day. We sat in the open living/ work space on the ground floor, underneath the raised wooden home above. Phos and her younger sister both weave at home, like many of the women in their commune on an island in the Mekong outside of Phnom Penh. They learned around 10 years ago from a neighbor as their mother died many years ago during the Khmer Rouge regime. Their father also passed away in '99 leaving the family of women and two brothers to take care of one another.

Phos loan of $500 is being repaid on schedule as of November. This is the second time she has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. Previously, she had been borrowing money from a local bank but switched because it was time-consuming to go to Phnom Penh to make payments. She is very happy now borrowing through Maxima as they make house call's to collect the monthly payments. This has been helpful for her as she now doesn't have to lose a days work. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Phos to purchase more raw silk and a second loom.

Weaving is painstaking work. Phos says that she and her sister are each able to produce one piece of weaving every seven days. They sell their goods to the local buyer for around $35 USD each. This earns each of them around $2 USD per day. Both brothers are also employed. One is a farmer and raises cows in the village. The other is a construction worker who is currently working with her uncle in Phnom Penh. It is her hope that in the future she will be able to support her brother to learn carpentry, a higher paying trade, for the betterment of the family. (Photo: Sister weaving)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Khsach Kandal district, Cambodia
Nov 12, 2007