Panatda

Panatda grew up in Northern Thailand and moved to her husband’s village after they married. She and her husband are raising four children, all of whom attend public school. Panatda is a full-time teacher at the local government school, a role she’s deeply proud of, but her salary alone isn’t enough to meet her family’s needs.

For nearly ten years, Panatda has woven hammocks in her free time—after school, on weekends, and during school breaks. Like many Hmong women, she learned to balance skilled handicraft work alongside her primary responsibilities. The steady supplemental income from artisan weaving has helped Panatda pay down debt and reinvest in her children's education.

With this loan, Panatda hopes to further stabilize her hammock-weaving income so it fits smoothly into her busy schedule. Reliable access to materials will allow her to continue reducing financial pressure and saving for her family’s future.