Outgrower: Meet Let Penh

Let Penh, 49, from Trapang Thom village near Siem Reap, Cambodia, previously relied on collecting recyclables at the local dumpsite, earning barely AU$1,160 per year and facing financial insecurity with no path to long-term stability. A US$4,000 loan through  Dana Asia’s Outgrower social business program enabled her to establish a small-scale poultry enterprise, receiving capital, technical training, inputs, and a guaranteed market. The program enabled her to raise 1,000 chickens in 90-day cycles, increasing her household income by 35% and achieving an 83% survival rate, while also promoting food security. Building on her success, Let Penh has expanded with a second shed and is now being considered as a mentor for other outgrowers, aiming to create a more stable future for her family and inspire other women in her community.