Thyda, 35, and her husband, Sophal, live in a modest wood stilt home. Their home is on Koh Dach, the largest of the three islands in the Mekong outside of Phnom Penh. They invited us in and cleared a spot for to sit on the ubiquitous bamboo platform (that doubles as a sofa, table and bed) that everyone uses here. Thyda has been a weaver for 17 years, a skill she learned from her mother. Her husband is a weaver too and learned from Thyda six years ago. Before this he farmed, but now feels that he can earn a better income through weaving. One sister (also a weaver) with her son, and Thyda and Sophal's two children, ages 4 and 6, also share the home.
Thyda's loan of $300 is being repaid on schedule as of December. 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 Thyda to buy raw silk in bulk from the markets in Phnom Penh. Weaving is painstaking work. Thyda says they are each able to produce about ten pieces a month. They sell their goods to the local buyer for around $11 USD each, earning them each approx. $1.50 USD profit per day. Previously, the family also raised pigs, but has stopped for now because several of them died from an illness and they are afraid to risk the loss again. Thyda says they may decide to resume this again if they take a future loan.
Thyda complained that the cost of goods has been on the rise - everything from silk to rice to other foods is increasing, but their profits have not. She worries about being able to provide well for the family in the future. Now, her sister's son is of university age and the cost of providing for his basic needs at school is a burden. Thyda and Sophal want their own children to have a good education too. They hope that things will continue to improve so that the next generation will have more opportunity for their lives.
MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Muk Kampoul district, Cambodia
Dec 16, 2007
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