Kanlaya

Kanlaya is a 67-year-old Khmer woman living in a Khmer community in Surin Province, Thailand. A widow, she resides with her two adult children and a school-aged grandchild, the child of her youngest.

Kanlaya is a local farmer and weaver, relying on these occupations to support her family, while both of her children provide labor services in the region.

Silk weaving is a longstanding tradition in her village. In addition to farming, weaving is Kanlaya's primary occupation, and she has been creating silk products for sale since her teenage years. The patterns she weaves are local, ancient designs that reflect her community's unique culture. In her free time, Kanlaya enjoys designing and producing silk items like cloths and scarves for her regular customers.

Currently, there is high demand for silk products, presenting a significant opportunity for Kanlaya to expand her production. This growth could enhance her income and improve her business. To capitalise on this opportunity, Kanlaya applied for a loan to purchase silk thread in bulk, color dyes, and weaving tools such as rigid heddle reeds and spindles. By upgrading her equipment, she believes she can increase her output to meet the rising demand.