By Thai San | Director
Meet *Sokha, one of our successful graduate sewing student who has just moved out of poverty bracket. Sokha was only able to study until second grade as her parents wanted her to raise the cows instead. She did this until the age of 13, when she began working as a builder in addition to collecting rattan to make baskets. When she turned 20, Sangorb was arranged to get married and juggled two jobs as a housekeeper and a builder. She then became pregnant, and when her baby was born she stayed at home to look after her child and grow vegetables and stopped working.
One day when the staff at Human and Hope Association were conducting outreach, they came across Sangorb and told her about their sewing program. She was very keen, however she had some health issues. Nonetheless, she was so committed to the program that the HHA staff helped refer Sangorb to a partner NGO who provided free health care services for community members. Sangorb promptly visited the NGO and her illness was cured. She was really excited to commence the sewing program with the support from her husband.
Sangorb began studying in the sewing program, and after three months she took out a sewing machine microfinance loan. Demonstrating a great attitude and willingness to learn, she was also hired by Human and Hope Association to be a seamstress and make ethical products at her home for a fair wage. She completed our sewing course in September 2016, armed with a full set of skills that she can use not only to make our ethical products, but also to set up a sewing business at her home. She also set up grocery shop at home as well which now Sangorb can earn around $90-$120 per month.
After redoing the survey with Sangorb, her family has moved out of poverty bracket because she can earn a stable income and just finished building her new dream house.
And just how does Sangorb feel about this? “I never imagined I could have a good sewing skill. I only studied until grade two at school and even though I cannot read and write Khmer, I have become a seamstress. I am happy to earn money by myself and my husband is happy, too.” She says.
*Name is changed due to confidenciality.
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