Ahkun.org - Circle Cambodia

Entrepreneur: Circle Cambodia
Country: Cambodia
Products: Wrap Dresses

Circle Cambodia is a sewing cooperative composed of five women in their early twenties, who live and work together in Phnom Penh. The women met while working as employees for a local tailor, who also provided them with housing. However, the tailor fell into debt and began withholding the women’s salaries. With no money and no other place to live—having traveled far from their home villages to work in Phnom Penh-- the women of Circle Cambodia found themselves trapped in an exploitative working and living situation. However, one year later a tailor shop customer, Lauren, found out about the injustice of the working conditions. Lauren has been an essential part in helping these women escape their difficult situation. She has helped the group find a new place to live and set up their business.

The first thing Circle Cambodia needed to do to get started was to purchase sewing machines. In order to do so, each of the women took out a loan through AMK’s Special Interest Group Unit (SIGU), which provides loans to more ‘vulnerable’ groups currently underserved by microfinance services. These groups include women who are victims of trafficking, domestic violence and other gender-based traumas; individuals living with HIV/AIDS; street people and children; and individuals with disabilities. Circle Cambodia is the first participant in this program. AMK posted their loan on Kiva.org and it was funded in a few hours.

With the help of Lauren, Circle Cambodia has secured initial orders and is looking forward to expanding the business to include Cambodian customers and foreign customers through Ahkun. The members hope one day to be successful enough to train and provide employment for individuals who come from similar vulnerable backgrounds.