Thet, 20, greeted us in front of her small grocery store the other day. It was a busy morning with village women picking over the fresh produce displayed in baskets arranged on the floor. Sharing the floor space, the small store was packed with cases of beer and other goods. Bags of cookies, crackers, seasonings and shampoos hung from above. Thet and her mother (previously pictured) have been running this store for four years. Her husband is a moto-taxi driver (married in 2002), and they have one 4-year-old daughter.
Thet's loan of $500 is being repaid on schedule as of December. This is the third time they have taken out a loan through Maxima Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. here in Cambodia. This new loan, funded through Kiva, has enabled Thet and her mother to purchase additional items for the store to better compete with the other village stores nearby. Every morning, Thet's mother travels to the larger district market to stock up on fresh meats and produce for the day. It's a good business for them as it allows the women to be at home together and take care of the family. A portion of the loan was also used to make necessary repairs to Thet's home. The simple stilt home at the rivers edge still retains its wooden front, but the other walls have been replaced with corrugated siding, and the roof is new.
Thet hopes that business will continue to prosper so that she can provide a good education for her daughter (and future children). She would also like to make future improvements to the home as well. (Photo: Thet with daughter at home)
MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd.
Posted by Tami Rowan from Pon-Nhea Leu district, Cambodia
Dec 3, 2007
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