Phearoen Touch, Kiva.org Borrower

On a small island on the Mekong River, I visited Phaearoen Touch on a Wednesday morning. With me was Som On, a friendly credit officer working for MAXIMA, one of Kivas four partner microfinance organizations in Cambodia. As a Kiva Fellow at MAXIMA, I travel with loan officers and company employees to meet borrowers and see the impact of microfinance firsthand. When we arrived, a donkey-powered cart and two men were walking along the road, delivering blocks of ice to the village businesses.

This is Phearoens first loan, and it is for $800. She used most of the money to purchase stock for the grocery store that she keeps in front of her house, along the dirt village road. She buys items like rice, beer and cigarettes. Beer is the most popular item, especially Anchor brand. She purchases her products in the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh. The loan from MAXIMA helps Phearoen to buy groceries in bulk and get the best prices for her business, increasing both profit and in turn, her standard of living.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Cambodia
• Phnom Penh
• Kiva
• Kiva.org
• microfinance
• microcredit
• grocery store
• profit
• sustainable development