Than is 52 years old and lives in Htoo-Gyi Village. There are six people in his family including his wife, two daughters and three sons. His youngest daughter is studying in grade eight in the local school.
Than is a farmer who grows paddy during the rainy season. He has worked as a farmer for the last 35 years. He is always proud of being a farmer because he can run his own business and also maintain his parents’ tradition. He owns four acres of farmland, which he used to grow the paddy. Two years ago, he faced some challenges with insect problems and it has been difficult to grow the paddy for the last few years. He grows only rainy season crops, and he has some challenges with flooding in the rainy season. He uses the profits from his business for different purposes such as for his family’s food, educational fees for his children, and health care fees.
Than has requested a loan from the Sont Oo Tehtwin program to purchase fertilizer, pay for labor fees for planting and harvesting the crops, and rent a tractor. He is happy because the interest rate is lower than informal money lenders and it will help to increase his income. Also, the length of the loan is convenient for him. In the future, he would like his children to become more educated and to earn high degrees at the university. He also has a future business plan to rear pigs and plant teak trees.
In this group: Than, Win, Aye, Thaung
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