Lighting the way: Veasna’s path from struggle to empowerment

“When I first joined the programme, I couldn’t imagine succeeding,” Ms. Prak Veasna recalled. “I viewed myself as merely an uneducated woman. This sort of work appeared to be intended for university graduates, not for someone like me."

Veasna is one of the funding programme participants of the Result-Based Financing scheme under the Higher Tier Cooking Component (HTCC), which promotes access to clean cooking methods in remote Cambodia. Through a Results-Based Financing (RBF), the programme encourages businesses to reach underserved communities, while also creating space for women to step into leadership and sales roles. Veasna, like many others, received training, mentorship, and business support, helping her grow in confidence and become a key player in bringing clean energy to her community.

At times, Veasna found herself sinking into deep depression and hopelessness. The demands of raising children, keeping a struggling business afloat, managing growing household debt, and securing enough money for her children's education can be overwhelming. When the programme was presented to her, Veasna felt hesitant. “The team believed in me even when I did not have faith in myself,” she said. “Their persistence prompted me to wonder: Do they see potential in me? Why couldn’t I see this, too?"

Her initial scepticism nearly caused her to forfeit the opportunity to receive support through Results-Based Financing (RBF). The first results-based financing payment marked a turning point, not solely for the financial relief it provided, but for what it symbolised. Encouraged by this support, Veasna began taking small yet bold steps, engaging more with customers and investing in trust-building, while offering high-quality e-cooking appliances and services.

Through the programme, Veasna received tools and support to enhance her business. She also gained the opportunity to broaden her perspectives by learning from her peers. She attended several meetings and observed the dedication and progress of other Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in a different province, which profoundly inspired her.

After attending the workshop in Phnom Penh for the first time and witnessing the success of other SMEs, Veasna encountered a world she had never imagined. These experiences ignited her motivation to grow her business for a brighter future. She began organising village meetings to promote her products, gradually becoming a more confident and visible entrepreneur. With the financial incentives she earned through the programme, she reinvested in her business by purchasing more clean cooking products, providing additional gifts, and enhancing her display to attract attention.

Her efforts have paid off. Previously, she only sold a couple of stoves each month. Upon joining the programme, she set herself a goal of selling 50 stoves each month. Today, Veasna sells around 100 stoves each month, reaching a remarkable milestone of 126 stoves in February.

Veasna now stands as a confident entrepreneur who believes in her potential. "Now I know I can provide my children with the education they deserve, all the way to university," she said with pride. "This journey has changed not only my business, but also who I am."