Loeurng Huy, Mini-mart

Update on Loeurng Huy


Loeurng, 45, is a friendly woman and smiles easily at us during our interview. She's been running the little open-air grocery stand in front of her home for the past 10 years. She says she is happy with this work as it allows her to be home and take care of their 7 children (not 5 as previously reported), who all still live at home. Her husband farms and donates his time during the off-season to helping the monks at their local Wat (Buddhist temple).

Loeurng's loan of $300 is being repaid on schedule as of October. This is the second time she has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Loeurng to purchase new items for her store, to better compete with the other village stores that have recently opened. For several years, she was the only store in town. Now she tries to keep an edge over competition with previously unavailable items like fish and soy sauces, and sales have improved. Loeurng also used a portion of her loan to build a new bathroom for their home.

Loeurng talks a lot about her children and the difficulty of providing for them. Of the seven, only her two oldest work and help to support the family. Three children are still in school. One of these is a daughter who's also attending a private school for English lessons, off and on, when they can afford it. Another daughter used to attend school, but stopped early to work in one of the local garment factories. She's now at home though due to health reasons which are too costly to treat. The youngest child is still a toddler.

Currently, Loeurng's total income every month is spent on providing for the family's food and schooling. In the future, she hopes that she can continue to expand her business to save enough money for her daughters to have a higher education. (Photo: Loeurng with daughters at home)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Pon-Nhea Leu district, Cambodia
Nov 4, 2007

Pov Pouch, Fisherman

Update on Pov Pouch


Pov, age 48, and wife Sokom, 42, live in a small (10'x12' – and housing 8 people!) wood and thatch home. The loan officer and I navigate over a series of fallen coconut palms and wooden planks, gripping a makeshift bamboo rail on one side so as not to fall into the water below, to get there. We sit on a woven mat that is laid out for us on the narrow front porch, inches above the water. As we talk, we repeatedly have to tuck our legs in to allow for both neighbors and dogs to pass on this temporary sidewalk.

Pov's loan of $400 is being repaid on schedule as of October. This is the second time he has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. Previously he had borrowed money through another local micro-finance institute, but their interest rates were higher. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Pov to buy a larger fishing boat and new nets.

Pov is a quiet man and he let Sokom do most of the talking. Pov's been a fisherman for almost 20 years. He learned from his father as a young boy and is now teaching their children to fish after school. The old boat, which sat tied up near their home, is very small (more like a wooden canoe) and was unusable when it was windy. On those days, Pov couldn't fish in the open water, but instead had to collect water lilies for his wife to sell - An item of considerably lower profit. With his new, larger, motorized boat, Pov can now fish every day, regardless of weather. Every day, Sokom takes the catch to the large district market where they can earn anywhere from 10,000 - 300,000 Riel ($2.50 - $75 USD) a day. This is a very profitable business by Cambodian standards, but not secure, as we learned.

They told us about some of their ongoing troubles. Fishing nets are expensive, around $10 USD for a small one, and are prone to theft. Pov sometimes sleeps in his boat after setting his nets, to wait for the fish. He's awoken on a few occasions to find the entire net with catch gone! When this happens, they must rely on taking a loan to cover their upfront costs and begin again. It's a frustrating situation for them.

Despite their financial uncertainty, their six children are all attending the local school. This is fairly typical. It's only after grade 6 that many families are forced to take their children out due to the expense and difficulty of getting them to a secondary school, which is usually farther away. She and her husband's greatest hope for the future is that they can afford to keep their children in school so that they have the opportunity to be whatever they want to be. (Photo: Pov fishing with new boat)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Pon-Nhea Leu district, Cambodia
Nov 4, 2007


Comments

I want to applaud Tami Rowan for her excellent writing. She makes me feel as though I were blessed to meet the people I care about, myself. She gives me a glimpse into their lives, which makes me very glad I have loaned. That extra description makes all the difference!

Posted by Rosemary from Idaho, USA
Nov 6, 2007



Thank you very much for the update, Tami. It's to bad that Pov has to deal with having his nets stolen. If he ever decides to apply for another loan, I'll participate again.

Posted by Jundee from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Nov 6, 2007

Channa Ven, Mini-mart

Update on Channa Ven


Channa, 41, is a tiny woman. She seems very shy at having a barang (foreigner) visit her home. We sit on a woven mat, which she unrolls for us, on the front porch of her (also tiny – 10'x12' – and housing 8 people!) thatched home. Channa has been running the little open-air grocery stand in front of her home for the past 7 years. She says she is happy with this work as it allows her to be home and take care of their 6 children. Her husband used to work in an office, she says, but after he had an operation a few years ago he's been working at home with her. They also raise pigs and work for neighbors during the rice harvest.

Channa's loan of $400 is being repaid on schedule as of October. 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 Channa to purchase new items for her store and a small freezer, to better compete with the other village stores that have recently opened. For several years, she was the only store in town, carrying a variety of items - Bread, sugarcane, noodles, cigarettes and rice wines mixed with different fruit juices. Now she tries to keep an edge over competition with her homemade butter, ice cream and sweets.

Channa talks a lot about her children and the difficulty of keeping them in school. Of the six, her oldest is 19 and now will be working with them as college is too expense and far away. She says her fourth child is having difficulties in school because he is repeatedly reprimanded by the teacher for being left-handed. He is so afraid now that he refuses to go to school, despite her efforts. Her youngest child, 4, was very ill with fever when she was young and suffered brain damage so that she now has to take care of her at home. She is slightly more optimistic about the other three, and one daughter in particular who is learning English and is "very clever". It is her that she worries the most about being able to provide for to attend secondary school. It is her future that is Channa's greatest hope for the betterment of the family. (Photo: Channa with children at home)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Pon-Nhea Leu district, Cambodia
Nov 4, 2007

Thoeurn Nun, Food Seller

Update on Thoeurn Nun


Thoeurn, age 49, and her husband Sorn, 60, welcomed us into their tidy, wooden home perched precariously over the flooded plain. It's the end of monsoon season and much of the land around them is flooded for miles, they explained. As we entered, we first walked through Sorn's barber shop, a small shack tacked on to the front of the home. We removed our shoes and sat on the woven mat that had been unrolled for us. Throughout the interview, Thoeurn grinned widely and was eager to answer our questions.

Thoeurn's loan of $300 is being repaid on schedule as of October. 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 calls to collect the monthly payments. This has been an invaluable for her as she doesn't have to loose time and money from her work. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Thoeurn to buy additional groceries for her to resell and rice seeds for planting their field once the monsoon rains dry (in December).

Currently, she buys bananas, duck eggs and vegetables to prepare and sell at a food stall outside the nearby government-owned garment factory. Her two daughters attend school in the afternoon which allows them to come help her during the busy lunch rush. One daughter, in particular, they are very proud of as she's the second-to-the-top student in her school.

Thoeurn excused herself to head over and begin setting up outside the factory. It was nearing lunchtime. Sorn stayed and spoke with us about the family's health. Everyone is fine, but he's had difficulty with his vision since 1973 - during Pol Pot's regime. He told us he'd been forced to farm for the regime, as were most Cambodians, and life was very hard. Many people died. During that time, he began have difficulty with one of his eyes, but there was nothing to do about it. The Khmer Rouge would kill you if you were weak. Many years later, when it was all over, he visited an American doctor in Phnom Penh. The diagnosis was not good. It was too late. He's now blind in one eye, but is thankful that he can still make a simple living cutting hair and farming.

Sorn and Thoeurn are happy with their simple home and that they are able to provide for their family. Their greatest hope for the future is that they will be able to earn enough money to support their children in whatever they choose to do. (Photo: Thoeurn at food stall outside garment factory)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Pon-Nhea Leu district, Cambodia
Nov 4, 2007


Comments

I am so happy all is well with your family. I wish you a lot of success in your business. I am truly thankful that I have been able to your family.

Posted by Pam from Anderson, SC, USA
Nov 5, 2007

Chann Chem, Weaver

Update on Chann Chem


Chann, age 45, and her husband, 46, both looked a little tired when we visited their home the other day. We sat in the open living/ work space on the ground floor, underneath the raised wooden home above. Two looms sat threaded with brilliantly colored silk in varying stages of completion.

The loan officer explained why we were there and as they told us about the hardships of their business and family, we began to understand the look in their eyes. Chann explained that profits are down right now. The buyer used to pay $50 for one piece of her silk weaving, which takes 7-10 days to make. Now he only pays $35. (Her profit is only $5) Her husband weaves nylon on a separate loom and can make $2 profit per piece for 3 days of work. She hopes that with the upcoming festival/wedding season, prices will increase again.

Chann's loan of $300 is being repaid on schedule as of October. This is second 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 buy more raw silk for weaving. Like most weavers we met, Chann 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 families' basic needs. It's an endless cycle, and one she does not see a solution to.

Lately, Chann's husband has been suffering from heart problems and they've been taking him to a doctor in Phnom Penh for treatment. One of her son's has also been ill since birth, and though there is a very good free children's hospital in the capital, the cost of transportation and accommodations there has been a burden for the family. Because both she and her husband have little education, it is very important to them that they are able to afford to send their children to school. To continue her children's education is Chann's greatest hope for the future. (Photo: Chann and family)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Khsach Kandal district, Cambodia
Nov 4, 2007


Comments

Sometimes businesses go through hard times. Do not think this is because your work is not important or worth it. Hopefully things will improve soon. May God bless you with the strength to persevere.

Posted by Dan from Washington, USA
Nov 8, 2007

Lorn Penh, Weaver

Update on Lorn Penh


Lorn, 38, smiled broadly as she welcomed us into her home. We sat in the open living/ work space on the ground floor, underneath the raised wooden home above. Lorn has been a weaver for almost 25 years. She weaves at home, like many of the women in her commune across the Mekong outside of Phnom Penh. Lorn says she enjoys her work as it allows her to be home and take care of their children. Her husband is a contractor, and has been extremely busy with work lately. They feel very fortunate.

Lorn's loan of $700 is being repaid on schedule as of October. This is the first time she has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. Previously she had borrowed money through another local micro-finance institute. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Lorn and her husband to improve both of their businesses. Lorn used a portion of the loan to purchase silk thread. The remainder of the loan was used to purchase construction materials for her husband's booming business.

Her three young children are all attending the local school. This is fairly typical. It's only after grade 6 that many families are forced to take their children out due to the expense and difficulty of getting them to a secondary school, which is usually farther away. She and her husband's greatest hope for the future is that they can afford to keep their children in school so that they have the opportunity to be whatever they want to be. In particular, she said that she hopes her daughter isn't forced to become a weaver like her. Every night, she hears her praying before bed to become a doctor. (Photo: Lorn with children at home)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Khsach Kandal district, Cambodia
Nov 4, 2007


Comments

I am happy to see that my loan is indeed being used by someone like Lorn. Pass on my congratulations to her for exercising her entrepreneurial skills to improve her family's life.

As an entrepreneur myself I believe that grass roots business development can become an important way for people in disadvantaged regions of the world to improve their lot in life. I expect to make a number of new loans which I will send to friends and family as Christmas gifts in the next month or so.

Posted by Martin Hochstein from Planet Earth
Nov 8, 2007



Good luck to you Lorn, you husband and your children. I hope that your daughters dreams and prays do come true.
xx

Posted by Garry Webb from United Kingdom
Nov 9, 2007

Say Mey Eng, Weaver

Update on Say Mey Eng


When we arrived at the home of Say Mey, the loan officer could barely be heard above the roar of the rice milling machine. Both Say Mey, 43, and her husband stared with a bit of astonishment at me, the barang (foreigner), as the officer told them why we had come. After the mill was turned off and the shock had worn away, they were more than happy to answer our questions about the impact the Kiva loan has had on their lives.

Say Mey has been a weaver for almost 20 years. She weaves at home, like many of the women in her commune across the Mekong outside of Phnom Penh. They have one son, 14, (not two as previously reported) who is attending the local school.

Say Mey's loan of $300 is being repaid on schedule as of October. 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 Say Mey and her husband to improve both of their businesses. Say Mey used a portion of the loan to travel to Phnom Penh, where she purchased her silk thread direct, instead of through the local middleman, thereby increasing her profits. The remainder of the loan was used to purchase a rice milling machine where they can earn money by charging locals to mill their rice for them. Before they bought the mill, they used to pay another man in town to mill the rice they grow for personal use. Now they are able to save this money and earn an even greater income than Say Mey can earn through weaving.

With the extra income the family has earned, in addition to money they've saved, Say Mey was able to purchase a new moto. This is much more reliable for her trips into Phnom Penh, she said, and now the old one is used only for transporting rice. In the future, they hope to be able to support their son to continue his education so that he can be whatever he wants. (Photo: Say Mey's husband with rice mill)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Khsach Kandal district, Cambodia
Nov 4, 2007

Yean Chey, Weaver

Update on Yean Chey


Yean, age 60, and husband Kat Taa, 70, welcomed us into their home the other day. She sat spinning silk thread on to a spindle in preparation for weaving while we talked. Yean was a weaver for around 40 years, but has now passed on her knowledge to her daughters - one of whom has been weaving for 10 years now. Her husband still farms and raises cows and buffalos. Their 7 children are all grown, but 5 still live at home with them in addition to a granddaughter.

Yean's loan of $1,000 is being repaid on schedule as of October. This is first 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 an invaluable time-saver for her so that she can stay home taking care of the family and assisting her daughters. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Yean to buy her raw silk in bulk and thereby increase her profits.

She went into a bit of detail with us about her weaving process as she's become quite a master of the craft in her lifetime. The incomplete pieces of silk she has on her looms are quite unlike the other weaving we've seen. Her patterns are much more intricate, and one even extends the entire 3 meter width of the cloth! For these intricate works of art, she is able to sell them to the local buyer for between $40 -70 USD a piece. It's a premium over the basic weaving, but she says her profit on each piece is still only $5-8 USD each.

Yean's greatest hope for the future is that her family can provide better for the next generation than she was able to. All of her children were forced to stop studying early and begin working for lack of money. She hopes that in the future they will all have good jobs and will all be able to send their children to school.

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Khsach Kandal district, Cambodia
Nov 4, 2007

Sopheap Sorn, Weaver

Update on Sopheap Sorn


Sopheap, 43, is a serious woman and it took awhile for us to get a smile out of her. We sat in the open living/ work space on the ground floor, underneath the new, raised wooden home above. Three looms sat threaded with brilliantly colored silk in varying stages of completion, and two of her daughters were weaving. As we began asking her about her life, family and the effects of her loan she brightened up. She obviously cares very much about providing for them all.

Sopheap's loan of $800 is being repaid on schedule as of October. This is the first 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 an invaluable for her as she doesn't have to loose time and money from her work. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Yean to buy more raw silk for weaving. The bulk of the loan though, in addition to money she has saved, was used to build a new home.

As is typical in Cambodia, multiple generations live under one roof. Sopheap's new home, built of wood, is much more adequate than the previous thatched structure for housing the 10 family members that she supports. Her husband is a contractor, and with the help of a hired worker, they were able to build their new home quite affordably. In addition to six children, her two ailing parents live with her.

She worries about the health of her parents, but proudly tells me how her mother taught all her grandchildren to read. In the future, she hopes that their work can support the family and provide for any medical care that her parents might need. (Photo: Sopheap with son and new house)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Khsach Kandal district, Cambodia
Nov 4, 2007


Comments

Thanks for the update and the high-rez picture! The high-rez picture makes such a difference, because it can be enlarged to see details that make everything seem that much more "real" and interesting!

Posted by Kay from Columbia, Maryland
Nov 5, 2007



Congratulations on the new home, Sopheap!

That looks like an excellent workspace you have and it must be so nice to have the rest of the house up above. I'm thinking having a contractor for a husband is a good deal - that's a beautiful house! Best Wishes!

Posted by Dinah Sanders from San Francisco, California, USA
Nov 8, 2007



The house looks wonderful! I'm so happy for you and your family.

Kim Everett

Posted by Kimberly Jo Everett from Memphis, TN, USA
Nov 15, 2007

Seam Soun, Weaver

Update on Seam Soun


Seam, 58, welcomed us into her home the other day. When we arrived, Seam's daughter was bent over a pot of boiling water, dying the raw silk thread a deep magenta color. Seam sat spinning the dyed thread onto a spindle in preparation for weaving while we talked.

Her two daughters, ages 20 and 28, do all the weaving with some help from their mother. Seam and her husband primarily farm vegetables, sugar cane and rice. They sell these at either the local market or in Phnom Penh, depending on the amount they have to sell at any given time. They're able to get more for their crops in Phnom Penh, but the time and cost of going there is sometimes prohibitive. Their 7 children are all grown, but 5 still live at home with them.

Seam's loan of $600 is being repaid on schedule as of October. This is 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 money lender but switched because she could only borrow very small amounts. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Seam to buy her raw silk in bulk and thereby increase her profits.

Weaving is painstaking work. Seam's daughters are each able to produce about four pieces a month. They sell their goods to the local buyer for around $35 USD each, as they are skilled in weaving a more complex pattern. Still, their profit for each piece is only about $5 USD each. Seam tells me she is happy that all her children are working, though she's sad that she was only able to afford a low level of education for them. They were all forced to quit school at varying ages to work weaving, farming or at one of the many government-run garment factories to help support the family.

Seam's greatest hope for the future is that her family can provide better for the next generation than she was able to. She especially hopes that they will all be able to send their own children to school. (Photo: Seam with daughters)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Khsach Kandal district, Cambodia
Nov 4, 2007

Sytath Mas, Weaver

Update on Sytath Mas


Sytath, 44, and her husband welcomed us into their home. (She is married, not a widow as previously reported) We sat in the open living/ work space on the ground floor, underneath the raised wooden home above. Two looms sat threaded with brilliantly colored silk in varying stages of completion. Both husband and wife are weavers. Weaving is a good business, Sytath said, as it allows her to be home and take care of their children.

Sytath's loan of $200 is being repaid on schedule as of October. 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 her to purchase raw silk thread and other weaving materials.

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 Sytath, 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. It's an endless cycle, and one she does not see a solution to.

In the future, they hope to make enough money put their young sons, ages 3 and 5, through school.

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Muk Kampoul district, Cambodia
Nov 4, 2007

Seng Sun, Teacher

Update on Seng Sun


Seng, age 53, and his wife Eksavy, 48, greeted us warmly at their home. Seng is a primary school teacher and tends cows in his free time. Eksavy has been a weaver for almost 30 years. She weaves at home, like many of the women on her island of Koh Dach in the Mekong outside of Phnom Penh. They have four children, three of whom are still living at home and attending school. Their one daughter, 16, helps Eksavy weave when she comes home from school.

Seng's loan of $350 is being repaid on schedule as of October. This is the third time he has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Eksavy to get a better price for silk thread and other silk and cotton products to resell. Eksavy already has a buyer that comes to her home to purchase her goods, so she will have no problem making a profit.

Weaving is painstaking work and the profit for each piece of basic weaving is only $2-3 USD each. Eksavy says she can finish about ten pieces per month. Seng complains that teachers make very little money in Cambodia, so they rely on selling his wife's income to support their family. As with many Cambodians we've met, their greatest hopes for the future are for her children to be able to stay in school and have a good education. (Photo: Seng and Eksavy)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Muk Kampoul district, Cambodia
Nov 4, 2007

Sunnareth Aeth, Weaver

Update on Sunnareth Aeth


Sunnareth, 63, has been weaving silk for more almost 50 years. She runs this business with her oldest daughter Yanthy, age 39. Yanthy is married with two daughters and other one on the way. Her daughters are both currently attending the local primary school.

Sunnareth's loan of $150 is being repaid on schedule as of October. 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 Sunnareth to make repairs on her home and help purchase concrete pillars for a new home for Yanthy and her family, just next door. When we met with Yanthy, she said she is happy to have followed in her mother's footsteps as she enjoys weaving and it allows her to be at home taking care of her family. As with many Cambodians we've met, her greatest hopes for the future are for her children to be able to stay in school and have a good education. (Photo: Yanthy and Daughter)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Muk Kampoul district, Cambodia
Nov 1, 2007

Rany Dor, Weaver

Update on Rany Dor


Rany, 37, was beaming from ear to ear on the day we met her, tickled to have a barang (foreigner) interested in her life. She welcomed us into her home and told us how happy she has been since borrowing this most recent loan as the family doesn't have to worry so much about money anymore. Rany learned to weave from her mother when she was a teenager. She is currently helping to support her elderly mother, nephew and young niece, who all live with her. Her niece, age 14, is currently attending the local school and helps weave in her free time.

Rany's loan of $600 is being repaid on schedule as of October. 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 her to buy tools for working gold for her nephew, 22, who lives with her. Her nephew is using these tools to make gold jewelry to resell at the local market. He has the ability to make much more money at this trade than she does weaving and to help support the family.

When we showed Rany her Kiva profile she became very embarrassed and tried to cover her crooked smile. She wondered aloud if maybe she could get a future loan to fix her teeth.

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Muk Kampoul district, Cambodia
Nov 1, 2007

Comments

It is a shame there is not a way for us to be able to purchase Products from the KIVA entrepenuers.

I'd love to purchase some textiles from Rany or perhaps a golden creation from her son.

Posted by Anne from Ontario, Canada
Nov 1, 2007

Thanks so much for your interest and continued support.

Unfortunately, the Kiva interface does not currently offer this service, and the demands of moving goods internationally are quite complex. At our follow-up interviews, we do express the lenders encouragement.

Posted by Tami Rowan from Phnom Penh
Nov 18, 2007

Saroeurn Som, Farmer

Update on Saroeurn Som


Saroeurn, 49, is widowed with three grown children who are all employed. She manages to modestly support herself through two seasonal enterprises. During the dry season, she works at one of the nearby brick kilns. She also grows eggplant and tomatoes, which she sells to a local buyer for a profit of around $25/ week, when in season.

Saroeurn's loan of $500 is being repaid on schedule as of October. This is the second 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 buy extra vegetable seeds this year as well as make necessary repairs on her house prior to the monsoons. Saroeurn's is a modest house, not atypical of this area, constructed of corrugated steel and wood raised on tall concrete stilts to protect it from flooding. Though her children are all employed, no one in the family had enough money saved to be able to cover the high upfront costs of these repairs.

Thanks to the loan, the repairs that she was able to make have ensured that she, and her few belongings, stay dry. Saroeurn expressed how pleased she was and how she hopes to take out another loan in the future to build an attached bathroom and kitchen for her home.

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Muk Kampoul district, Cambodia
Nov 1, 2007


Comments

I am glad to hear the loan has made a positive difference in Saroeurn's life. Her timely payment of the loan has proven she is worthy of the trust we made of her and deserves support in the future. Good luck Saroeurn.

Posted by William from Hoodsport, WA, United States
Nov 1, 2007



What great news about the house renovations. That's wonderful.
Best of luck with the harvest. I hope your crops are bountiful.
Congratulations on the continued repayment of the loan.

Posted by Peter from Ottawa, ON, Canada
Nov 2, 2007

Vannary Yab, Brick Delivery

Update on Vannary Yab


Vannary, 55, is a busy woman juggling her commitments of work and family. She is trained as a medical practitioner and owns a pharmacy off of one of the main highways leading into Phnom Penh. Here she treats people in the rural areas so that they do not have to go into the capital. Her husband is a driver for a Chinese-owned road + bridge construction company. His work requires him to be away from home much of the time and live where the projects are based.

Vannary's loan of $600 is being repaid on schedule as of October. This is the second time she has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. This new loan (funded through Kiva), in addition to other money Vannary has saved, has enabled her to purchase a delivery truck for the business of her two oldest sons. They are drivers and transport bricks from the numerous brick kilns in the area to nearby construction sites. In addition, they employ five other workers to assist with loading and unloading supplies. They have plenty of work right now, even though the monsoon season slows things a bit, and are able to make a good income for the family.

Of Vannary's four children, her two youngest still live at home and are both attending school. In the future, she hopes that with the additional money generated from the brick delivery business she will be able to purchase a moto-scooter for her high-school aged son to more easily get to school, and later, to university. (Photo: Truck at Brick Kiln)