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
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