At 65 years old, Pa Or has proven that “no one is too old to learn” and it is never too late to start being a shop owner and entrepreneur!
Before joining the Green Learning Center (GLC) and the Community Market project in Ban Huay Hae, Pa Or’s life relied on financial support from her children working abroad, receiving about 2 million Kip per month. Some months this was not enough, forcing her to take on daily labor jobs to earn extra income. Although she had a small retail shop invested in by her daughter at the community market in early 2025 (where she didn’t have to pay rent), her management was based purely on habit without any clear system.
The turning point began in late 2025. With support from the New Zealand Embassy, GLC trained Pa Or in business planning and financial management. From someone who had never kept records, today Pa Or has become a much more skilled shop owner! She now knows how to record income and expenses, separate personal money from business funds, and organize products in her shop neatly to attract customers.
The Transformation: Then: Dependent on support from her children and daily labor to survive. Now: Generating an average income of 150,000 Kip per day and able to save up to 1 million Kip per month with the Market Fund (Saving Group).
Today, Pa Or is not only financially self-sufficient but also serves as an inspiring role model for women and youth in the community. Her shop is a symbol of commitment, transforming her from a “receiver” into a “creator” of a sustainable economy for her family.
Come visit the Bubpha Community Market to meet Pa Or and support local products together!
#EmpoweringWomen#GLC#NewZealandEmbassy#WomenInBusiness#Champasak
