Borrower from Rice Bank

Mrs. Sum Long is a 58-year-old mother of four from Poumaly village. She has four children, one of them is married, and the three others still live at home. The youngest attends secondary school. (Because of the late start in primary school, many children don't complete secondary school until they're in their early 20's.) Mrs. Sum Long is taking out a 20kg loan from the rice bank. “The reason why I am taking the loan is because we have no more rice left in our rice store. It is planting season (June) so we need to spend all out time at our own fields making sure we get the rice planted in time. When we have finished the 20 kg loan I'll go to my daughter and her husband, they will give us some rice in return for the labour of my youngest son. He will work for them during his school holidays.”

“My husband and I both work in our rice field, and almost every year for the past five years we take out a loan from the rice bank. I couldn't imagine life without it. In the past I have gone to other villages and begged the wealthier farmers to give me some rice, but it is not always successful. I have noticed the changes in the rice bank here; we now have to sign different papers before we are allowed to take out a loan. I don't mind it; in fact, I think it's very good. It is very clear who takes out a loan and how much they take. We all know exactly where the rice goes.”

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