In Thasommor village in Laos, Chandee is known as someone who works quietly and tirelessly for her family and community. A single mother of two, she spent many years relying on basket carrying to earn an income. The work meant waking before dawn, walking long distances and carrying heavy loads in difficult conditions. It was exhausting and risky, but for a long time it was the only way she could support her children.
After leaving a violent marriage, Chandee became even more determined to give her children a stable future. She worked long days selling vegetables, fish and other produce, often carrying up to 40 kilograms at a time. With no safety net if she became sick or injured, she worried constantly about how her children would manage if something happened to her. Still, she kept going, knowing their education depended on her income.
Everything changed when a group of women in her village came together to form a savings group supported by Oxfam’s partner, the Informal Worker Advancement Association. For the first time, Chandee and other basket carrying women had a place to save money, learn new skills and support one another. When they were asked if they wanted to develop their own products to diversify their income, the group agreed and began planning a chilli paste business.
With training and small business grants provided in kind through the project, the women received the equipment they needed to start producing chilli paste together. They were given blenders, woks, containers, scales and ingredients, allowing them to move from an idea to a functioning community enterprise. “We never thought we would receive the grants,” Chandee says. “Now we are able to have our own products and earn some extra income.”
For Chandee, this new work offers something basket carrying never could. It is safer, more predictable and gives women the chance to build income without risking their health. Today the group has grown to 14 members who meet to produce, package and sell their chilli paste in local markets. It has become an important alternative livelihood for families who have long depended on daily physical labour.
Chandee’s leadership quickly became central to the group. She now manages the savings group and the chilli paste production group, keeps financial records and helps women reduce debt and build stability. She takes pride in seeing her village recognised for its women-led products and hopes younger women will continue to expand the business, especially through online marketing.
Her hope for the future is simple: to see women in her community with safer jobs, more choices and stronger opportunities for the next generation. Chandee’s story reflects the strength of women supporting each other and the power of investing in women’s leadership.
Essential Cash & Livelihoods Project
Oxfam Aotearoa’s programme in Lao PDR supports vulnerable communities, especially women, to recover from COVID‑19’s economic impacts and strengthen their livelihoods. With $2 million from New Zealand’s MFAT, it delivers cash transfers, small‑business training, and community‑driven grants across 102 villages.
Families have used cash assistance to meet essential needs and invest in income‑generating activities, while women are increasingly stepping into leadership roles and community decision‑making. Despite inflation and climate pressures, communities are improving local infrastructure, developing sustainable businesses, and building long‑term resilience as the programme continues into early 2025.
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