Sopheap, 43, is a serious woman and it took awhile for us to get a smile out of her. We sat in the open living/ work space on the ground floor, underneath the new, raised wooden home above. Three looms sat threaded with brilliantly colored silk in varying stages of completion, and two of her daughters were weaving. As we began asking her about her life, family and the effects of her loan she brightened up. She obviously cares very much about providing for them all.
Sopheap's loan of $800 is being repaid on schedule as of October. This is the first 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 for her as she doesn't have to loose time and money from her work. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Yean to buy more raw silk for weaving. The bulk of the loan though, in addition to money she has saved, was used to build a new home.
As is typical in Cambodia, multiple generations live under one roof. Sopheap's new home, built of wood, is much more adequate than the previous thatched structure for housing the 10 family members that she supports. Her husband is a contractor, and with the help of a hired worker, they were able to build their new home quite affordably. In addition to six children, her two ailing parents live with her.
She worries about the health of her parents, but proudly tells me how her mother taught all her grandchildren to read. In the future, she hopes that their work can support the family and provide for any medical care that her parents might need. (Photo: Sopheap with son and new house)
MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Khsach Kandal district, Cambodia
Nov 4, 2007
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Comments
Thanks for the update and the high-rez picture! The high-rez picture makes such a difference, because it can be enlarged to see details that make everything seem that much more "real" and interesting!
Posted by Kay from Columbia, Maryland
Nov 5, 2007
Congratulations on the new home, Sopheap!
That looks like an excellent workspace you have and it must be so nice to have the rest of the house up above. I'm thinking having a contractor for a husband is a good deal - that's a beautiful house! Best Wishes!
Posted by Dinah Sanders from San Francisco, California, USA
Nov 8, 2007
The house looks wonderful! I'm so happy for you and your family.
Kim Everett
Posted by Kimberly Jo Everett from Memphis, TN, USA
Nov 15, 2007
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