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
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment