Chantorn Sorm

Chantorn Sorm
Status: Raised
$800.00 Loan Request
$800.00 Raised
http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=24606

About the Entrepreneur Name: Chantorn Sorm
Business Name: Food selling
Location: Kean Svay district, Cambodia
Primary Activity: Food Production/Sales
Loan Requested: $800.00
Repayment Term: 12 months - repaid monthly
Loan Use: To purchase dishware, utensils, and food supplies for her business.
Date Posted: Nov 20, 2007
Date Funded: Nov 21, 2007

Mrs. SORM Chantorn (age 53) and her husband married in 1979. They have five children, four of whom still live at home as well as one son-in-law and two grandchildren. One daughter studies at college. They are requesting their first loan from MAXIMA in the amount of $800. They will use this loan to purchase dishware, utensils, and food supplies for her cafe/restaurant.
While Chantorn’s husband works as a security guard, his job for the past eight years, the family’s primary source of income is the food and drink stand she operates in front of their house. She’s been doing this for the past three years and her business continues to grow. She told us that she learned to cook professionally during an eight-year period in the office of a Cambodian senator. Her current clientele are comprised of people from her village and passers-by on the road that runs past her shop. On a good day she can serve up to 50 customers.

She currently prepares and sells basic noodle and soup dishes commonly referred to as “Khmer Noodles”. She hopes to refine her shop and menu so she can sell a range of more complex and expensive fare referred to as “Chinese Noodles”. The main difference between these two styles of cooking comes from the expense of ingredients, the method of preparation, and formality of dining. A typical serving of Khmer Noodles costs about US $0.25 while a serving of Chinese Noodles costs $0.63.

Chantorn’s main goal in growing her business is to better support her one child who studies at college.