Gnean Ouch joined the project in 2004. She has four children, the three youngest ones are between six and 15, and one is older. Currently, all the children attend school every day and no longer work to support the family.
With a total average income in 2005 of only $48.30 per month, Gnean Ouch could not provide enough food for her children or send them consistently to school. Now, she earns on average $120 per month making carpets and even more by making and selling garlands for $2.50 per day. She still earns less than her total monthly costs, and thus purchases commodities on credit and borrows from a moneylender.
Her children often suffer from headaches. Usually, she takes medicine from the market store, which only costs $3. For major illnesses, she seeks treatment at a private hospital for $11.70 per visit.
Since joining CfC, Gnean Ouch has more income to spend on food, her children go to school, and her health has improved due to her less-stressful and safer work environment. Because she considers herself old, she worries about the further education of her children. But, she stays positive, and tries to make more carpets to earn enough money to start her own farming enterprise.
