Sok Vuthy's success story

No more school quitting for my brothers
Living in Otakompy village, Tuol Ta Aek commune, Battambang district, Battambang Province, Miss Sok Vuthy -27 years old makes her living by producing traditional lamp products. There are six members in her family – her father (Mr. Nhiev Troerung who is 64 years old), her mother (Mrs. Yun Heoup who is 58 years old), her younger sister (Miss. Sok Theary who is 24 years old), and her younger brothers (Mr. Nhiev Chandara who is 19 years old and Mr. Nhiev Chanratana who is 14 years old). Vuthy’s parents are rice farmers while Vuthy’s younger sister works in beauty saloon and the other two younger brothers are in school at grade 11 and eight years old respectively.

When asked about her past, Miss. Sok Vuthy returned very sad. Talking with her tears, she told us how she had lived before getting loan from VisionFund.

After spending 13 years living along Cambodian – Thai border, Vuthy’s family moved to Battambang province in 1992. Her first house in Battambang province was a small thatch house with torn roof and wall, built directly on the ground, which was easily flooded when there was a rain. “We always got wet when there was rain as our house was flooded and moreover the roof was also broken. There was only one bed which was free from raining drops and I had to move all my brothers and sisters to that bed if the raining was at night time.”

Though Vuthy and her mother tried to earn income through other means like selling bread and gasoline along the way, the income was still not enough for the family expenses. Vuthy and her younger sister decided to stop schooling when they both just started in secondary school. They both were sad to stop schooling but that was the only way they can afford their other two younger brothers to go to school as well as the family daily needs.

Vuthy spent sometimes helping her neighbors making traditional lamps as well as clothes. However, the income from her works was too small to support the family. She wanted to own her own shop for clothes making and traditional lamp making as she believed it could help her family, but she could not afford to run the business as she did not have enough capital.

Fortunately in 2001, Vuthy leant from her neighbor about VisionFund’s program. After joining VisionFund’s program promotion, Vuthy decided to take her first loan of KHR 160,000 (USD 40) to buy sewing machine. She was doing well with her sewing machine and she could support her family better than before. Her second loan of KHR 300,000 (USD75) in early 2002 was used to repair her house while her third loan of KHR 300,000 (USD 75) in late 2002 was used to buy pig.

In 2003, Vuthy took her fourth loan of KHR 500,000 (USD 125), which was then used to construct her house. She now has a better house. “I am not afraid of raining drop and flood anymore, since I now have a new house” Vuthy Said proudly.

In 2004, Vuthy took her fifth loan of KHR 300,000 (USD 75) for buying a mold, milk cane and other inputs for traditional lamp production. All the family members are now helping her with her business of making traditional lamp. Her income was much better than before. She could now earn around KHR 25,000 (USD6.25) per day. “I can now afford good food for my family as well as supporting my younger brothers to school. I am happy that they do not have to stop school as I did,” said Vuthy with her smile.

From her business she could afford to share with her brother to buy a small plot of land to grow orange in Pailin where her brother is taking care of. Although, she continued taking loan from VisionFund and currently she is in her seventh cycle with the loan amount of KHR 300,000 (USD 75), which was used to buy a motorbike.

Vuthy has planned to support her both brothers until they both finishing the university. “I want one of my brother to be VisionFund staff and my youngest brother to a teacher,” said Vuthy.

She heartfelt thanks to both VisionFund and World Vision Cambodia who have given her chance for a delighted future for her as well as her two younger brothers.