Our first micro finance loan was made on Christmas Eve! $350 was given to a family in Phnom Penh City, Cambodia. Thanks to all of you who participated in “New Gifts” this month! Here’s the story.

Mrs. Nan Mary is 44 years old and a grocery seller. Nan Mary has been selling her goods since early 2005 and normally earns US$ 2.50 a day to feed her family. She is married with four children, all four of whom are no longer in school. All four of her children are employed: two are workers in Malaysia and one is a garment worker in Phnom Penh.

As another source of family income, her husband’s business provides a taxi service. Nan Mary is taking out her loan to accumulate more grocery inventory to sell and to repair her old house. Note: Nan Mary’s was not available when the photo was taken, so her husband is pictured instead.

Check it out here.

More to come in 2010. Happy New Year everyone!