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
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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
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