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

Sothea Dhim, Mini-mart

Update on Sothea Dhim


Sothea, 29, greeted us in front of her grocery store the other day. She motioned to us to sit down on the ubiquitous bamboo wood platform that everyone uses here. We began asking her about her life, family and the effects of her loan between transactions with customers.

Sothea's loan of $700 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 an invaluable time-saver for her so that she can stay home taking care of the family and business. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Sothea to purchase additional items for her small grocery store as well as ice for her husband's delivery business.

They began the ice delivery business over six years ago and it's been great for them. Sothea's husband drives a small truck, which he loads with ice (80 blocks) bought from a neighboring village for 1,500 Riel (38 cents) each. He returns to their village, first stocking the supply at Sothea's market before driving around the village for prospective customers. He resells each block for 2,500 Riel (63 cents). It's like an ice cream truck without the cream. Right now, business is good as they have no competitors. It was this income that allowed them to open the grocery store three years ago.

In the future, Sothea hopes that they will be able to borrow again to continue expanding both their businesses. She plans to begin stocking beer and rice wine as they are higher profit items. If business continues to prosper, she feels confident that they will be able to provide a good education for their two children so that they have the opportunity to be whatever they want. (Photo: Sothea with daughter)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Khsach Kandal district, Cambodia
Nov 7, 2007

Khom In, Weaver

Update on Khom In


Khom, age 40, and husband Sokheang, 40, welcomed us into their home the other day. We sat in the open living/ work space on the ground floor, underneath the raised thatched home above. Khom weaves at home, like many of the women in her commune on an island in the Mekong outside of Phnom Penh. They have three children, ages 7-15, who are all attending the local school. The oldest is learning English in addition. Sokheang works at the nearby government-run garment factory. He says it's a good job where he can earn as much as Khom and get overtime pay in addition.

Khom'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 Khom to buy raw silk in bulk and thereby increase her profits. She explains 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.

Weaving is painstaking work. Khom says is able to she's able to produce one piece of basic weaving every three days. She sells her goods to the local buyer for around $14 USD each. This earns her around $2 USD per day. Khom tells me that she, along with several other weavers in her village, will try to raise prices over the upcoming months as demand for silk products during the wedding season is high.

Now that she is able to earn more, Khom hopes to be able to save for her children's future. It is their hope to be able to send their children to university eventually so that they have the opportunity to be whatever they want.

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Khsach Kandal district, Cambodia
Nov 7, 2007

Ny Sith, Pig Farmer

Update on Ny Sith


Ny, age 35, welcomes us with a broad smile while two sleepy, little girls stare in wonder at the barang (foreigner) in their home. We sit in the open living/ work space on the ground floor, underneath the raised thatched home above. Ny holds an infant in her arms whose smiling just a big as his mother. I can hear pigs snorting from somewhere nearby.

Ny's loan of $150 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 Ny to continue to purchase baby pigs and food for resale. As she bounces her son on her lap, Ny describes her business to me. One baby pig costs $30 USD, but after five months of care and feeding each is worth $150. It's less than $1/day profit, but the business allows her to be at home to take care of her young children. Previously, Ny had sold vegetables at the local market. She made the transition around 10 years ago to allow her to raise a family. Her husband also helps to support the family as a moto-taxi driver in Phnom Penh.

Each loan that Ny has taken has allowed her to buy new pigs, make small repairs to both the pens and their home, and keep the family clothed and fed. Of her seven children, aged 4 months to 15 years, four sons are of primary school age and attend at the local school. She hopes to borrow again in the future to continue expanding her business and keep her children in school. (Photo: Ny with children and pigs)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Khsach Kandal district, Cambodia
Nov 7, 2007

Sopheap Thon, Weaver

Update on Sopheap Thon


Sopheap, 29, 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. Nearby, her husband was bent over an unfinished wooden carving, chiseling. They are a young couple without children, and keep themselves busy with work.

Sopheap's loan of $800 is being repaid on schedule as of November. This is the fourth time she has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Sopheap to buy her raw silk in bulk and thereby increase her profits.

Weaving is painstaking work. Sopheap has been weaving for eight years now and she's able to produce about three pieces a month. She sells her goods to the local buyer for around $50 USD each, as she is skilled in weaving a more complex pattern. This earns her around $2.50 USD per day. Sopheap tells me that she, along with several other weavers in her village, will try to raise prices over the upcoming months as demand for silk products during the wedding season is high.
A portion of the loan was also used to buy wood for her husband's business. Hong learned to carve from one of his relatives around eight years ago. He buys his wood by the kilo at one of the neighboring islands. A large piece, like the one he was working on, takes 7 days to carve and can sell for $30. He sells other smaller pieces for $5. On average, he can earn around $3 USD a day. He brings his work to a vendor at one of the large, tourist-oriented markets in Phnom Penh to sell.

In the future, Sopheap and Hong hope that they will be able to borrow again to expand both their businesses and potentially hire employees. (Photo: Hong with woodcarving)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Khsach Kandal district, Cambodia
Nov 7, 2007


Comments

I'm so glad that my contribution can help Sopheap and Hong move forward in their plans. So good to know that just being able to buy bulk silk makes a difference! Thank you for the details in this update. It helps me to have a small window into a very different way of life. I'm happy to be able to help.

Posted by Julia Mahaffey from Boise, ID
Nov 7, 2007



Hello, Tami! Thank you kindly for the update on Soheap and Hong. It would be wonderful to see pictures of their handicrafts on line. Do you ever post pictures of the completed work? We are grateful for the opportunity to be part of their story. Mike and Sue

Posted by Mike and Sue from Norfolk, VA ( USA )
Nov 7, 2007



I, too, was so glad to hear about Sopheap and her husband. I do hope and wish everything good for their future. And I will happily give a loan again.

Posted by Lisbeth from Denmark
Nov 7, 2007



Hi, Tami! Thank you so much .I am so glad to hear about Soheap and Hong, and to know that in a small way i was able to help.I too hope for nothing but the best for them and their future. I will be pray for them.

Posted by Dahlia from Yonkers, NY (USA)
Nov 7, 2007

Yoeurn Pork, Weaver

Update on Yoeurn Pork


Yoeurn, age 54, and husband Thoung, 58, smiled broadly 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. Yoeurn has been a weaver for almost 40 years. She weaves at home, like many of the women in her commune on an island in the Mekong outside of Phnom Penh. They have seven children, six of whom are still living at home. One daughter is married and has moved away. Two of their daughters, both in their twenties, weave with Yoeurn. One son is grown and working, and three sons still attend school. Thoung is a fisherman.

Yoeurn's loan of $1,000 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. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Yoeurn to get a better price for raw silk as it is now more cost effective to travel to Phnom Penh and buy in bulk. This now ensures that she can keep their three looms supplied and increase both productivity and profits. Yoeurn and her daughters weave a more intricate design that they are able to sell for around $37 to the local buyer. Their profit for each piece is $20 USD each - higher than most as they are able to weave more quickly (only 4 days per piece) without the distraction of young children under their care.

A portion of the loan was also used to purchase new nets for Thoung. Nets are expensive, $100 USD for a large one, but the profits that he is able to make through fishing are considerable. On a good day he can earn 300,000 Riel ($75 USD) - high by Cambodian standards. When he's had a good catch, he usually prepares some of the fish which he is able to sell at the local market for a premium. Thoung says he enjoys fishing as he's able to earn a good income in a small amount of time, leaving him free time to help his wife and daughters.

In the future, if Thoung's business continues to prosper, they hope they will be able to save enough money to expand both their businesses and ensure a secure future for their family. (Photo: Daughter weaving and Father with nets)

MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Khsach Kandal district, Cambodia
Nov 7, 2007