Siem Reap, KH – Moum and Ming start a tiny store – 31 Oct 2021

Moum and Ming are on their journey along the path to self-sustainability, a path that passes through the six stages of access Knowledge, apply Resources, strengthen Health, earn Income, improve Home and enhance Education. They have been eating from their small organic vegetable garden, and are now starting a tiny store, which is a big step that will assist them to cope with financial challenges.

Tiny stores are rising in popularity in Cambodia! What exactly is a tiny store, and why do families turn to them for their daily needs? A tiny store is a small neighborhood retail shop that caters to members of that community. The store usually carries basic goods such as canned food, instant noodles, coffee, soda, and other things that families get on a daily basis. They also sell candy, chips, drinks and can literally have any commodity that the community wants.

Moum is a daugther of Sareun and Aikon, who were the first renters and now are the first to own their home and land. She is married to a very humble and shy man named Ming. Ming is very supportive of his wife and two children. Moum and Ming came from very humble beginnings. They invested in the tiny shop in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and have tried to reinvent themselves by opening this shop beside the road to assist them and other families to survive during the pandemic crisis.

The garden and now the small shop has assisted Moum and Ming to grow their confidence to move forward despite challenges they face. As a result, the children are growing up healthy, happy and have a better direction and motivation to study.

Ming and Moum are gaining the confidence to think about applying for a micro loan to buy a tractor and start an equipment rental business.