42 Years Old Ms Nan Erm 38 Years Old
Village: Mkak
Commune: Mkak
District: Serey Sophorn
Province: Banteay Meanchey
Training: Tailoring
Injury: Landmine - Non Tom in 1985 when she was carrying rice to Thailand for sale, and Nan Erm in 2002 when she was collecting firewood in the jungle her cow stood on a mine.
Both women were very excited and emotional about beginning and completing their training.
Nan Erm is now able to support her family with her income, making it possible for her two sons to go to school. She has also now been able to buy her children bicycles to ride the long distance to their school. Nan Erm is also able to care for her ageing mother comfortably now.
Nom Tom is delighted with her new found independence due to the CWARS (now named Lom Orng) training program. Prior to her course she had no skills and nothing to do to occupy her time. She was isolated at her parents' home, and had no source of income. She was living a lonely and uneventful life.
The women are able to produce around three garments per day, fetching 900 Riel each at the markets in Thailand.
These two lovely women were a joy to speak to. Having completed their training together, then opening their businesses in partnership, they have a distinct advantage over other graduates. Together they have been able to share their problems, their hard times, and their financial burdens. Thus they have been able to support each other in the difficult early stages after the completion of their training. They have clearly formed a lifelong bond that will be of great benefit to them emotionally and in their everyday life. They were laughing and smiling the entire time I spoke to them, and the confidence they had in themselves and each other was obvious.