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
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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
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