Ren Samon has ben with the project since 2004. She has a husband and six children—one child younger than six, two between six and 15, and three older than 15. Before she joined CfC, most of the children were not enrolled in school and instead worked as day laborers in the Thai market. Currently, all the children have the chance to study full time.
Ren Samon earned only $64.50 per month in 2005; now, she earns $117 per month making carpets. Additionally, her husband earns $0.70 per day raising cows. Her son who works in Thailand also sends homes about $5.30 per month. Still, she cannot cover the living expenses each month for the family and so she often makes purchases on credit. Thankfully, she has no outstanding loans.
Her children often get sick—stomach problems—and Ren Samon often has headaches and backaches. Treatment from the pharmacy costs $8, but if this does not work, the family opts for the private doctor, which costs her $32.
Now that her children can all attend school, Ren Samon expects them to complete grade twelve. She worries about the expenses of taking exams, but hopes that if she continues to make carpets with CfC, she can help educate them to their fullest potential.
