Sopheap, 29, welcomed us into her home the other day. We sat in the open living/ work space on the ground floor, underneath the raised wooden home above. Nearby, her husband was bent over an unfinished wooden carving, chiseling. They are a young couple without children, and keep themselves busy with work.
Sopheap's loan of $800 is being repaid on schedule as of November. This is the fourth time she has taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Sopheap to buy her raw silk in bulk and thereby increase her profits.
Weaving is painstaking work. Sopheap has been weaving for eight years now and she's able to produce about three pieces a month. She sells her goods to the local buyer for around $50 USD each, as she is skilled in weaving a more complex pattern. This earns her around $2.50 USD per day. Sopheap 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.
A portion of the loan was also used to buy wood for her husband's business. Hong learned to carve from one of his relatives around eight years ago. He buys his wood by the kilo at one of the neighboring islands. A large piece, like the one he was working on, takes 7 days to carve and can sell for $30. He sells other smaller pieces for $5. On average, he can earn around $3 USD a day. He brings his work to a vendor at one of the large, tourist-oriented markets in Phnom Penh to sell.
In the future, Sopheap and Hong hope that they will be able to borrow again to expand both their businesses and potentially hire employees. (Photo: Hong with woodcarving)
MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Khsach Kandal district, Cambodia
Nov 7, 2007
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Comments
I'm so glad that my contribution can help Sopheap and Hong move forward in their plans. So good to know that just being able to buy bulk silk makes a difference! Thank you for the details in this update. It helps me to have a small window into a very different way of life. I'm happy to be able to help.
Posted by Julia Mahaffey from Boise, ID
Nov 7, 2007
Hello, Tami! Thank you kindly for the update on Soheap and Hong. It would be wonderful to see pictures of their handicrafts on line. Do you ever post pictures of the completed work? We are grateful for the opportunity to be part of their story. Mike and Sue
Posted by Mike and Sue from Norfolk, VA ( USA )
Nov 7, 2007
I, too, was so glad to hear about Sopheap and her husband. I do hope and wish everything good for their future. And I will happily give a loan again.
Posted by Lisbeth from Denmark
Nov 7, 2007
Hi, Tami! Thank you so much .I am so glad to hear about Soheap and Hong, and to know that in a small way i was able to help.I too hope for nothing but the best for them and their future. I will be pray for them.
Posted by Dahlia from Yonkers, NY (USA)
Nov 7, 2007
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