Mrs. Chhet Kheng lives about 25 km away from the main HKL branch office of Pursat Province. I was escorted to her village by a credit officer and the HKL Director of Operations, Mr. Chek, during a branch tour to Pursat. She was very surprised to see a “Barang” (foreigner) come to visit her, but said that she was very excited to meet one for the first time in her life.
Mrs. Kheng confirmed for me that she used the $300 loan, as well as some personal savings, to purchase an additional motorcycle scooter. She told me that although her daily income varies much, now that she has purchased a new motorcycle with her Kiva loan, she has seen an increase in the amount of money that she makes on a good business day. Mrs. Kheng now earns up to $2.50 per day, as opposed to only $2 per day.
She still uses the old motorcycle to transport beef to her customers and to the market, but uses the newer one only for picking up payments and for family use. The new motorcycle scooter is much nicer than her old one, so it brings credibility and improved reputation to her beef-selling business. Mrs. Kheng’s biggest customer is a Chinese noodle restaurant that is located close to her village.
Mrs. Kheng uses her additional income to support her farming activities. This includes plowing, rice planting, and purchasing of fertilizer and seeds. Her future goal is to have enough money to support her son to grow his role in an informal lending group that he manages in the city of Phnom Penh.
In the below picture, you can see Mrs. Kheng with her mother, as they sit on the traditional Cambodian table located under her house. Also pictured is the motorcycle and basket she uses to transport beef, and some pictures of her home.
About the Field Partner
Subscribe
Repayment Received
| 
