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