Colorful crepes create successful microenterprise

With the help of Operation Blessing, the 25-year-old tsunami survivor is putting the past behind her and and working to establish a successful small business selling crepes on the streets of her home city.

After the 2004 tsunami destroyed June's home on Phi Phi Island, wiping out her small laundry business, she relocated to a temporary housing community on the Thai mainland.

A local church helped June restart her laundry business, but her work was abruptly halted when her business partner stole the new equipment and washing machine. Soon after, June found an administration job, receiving less than 3500 baht a month, or $100 U.S.

When Operation Blessing's representative in the area, Pastor Arom, heard of June's situation, he visited her local church to find out how he could help.

June had requested a simple push cart to sell merchandise on street corners. But Operation Blessing went one step further, providing June with a motorbike modified to serve as a mobile crepe shop. Operation Blessing outfitted the bike with a side-car, rain cover, gas bottles, two crepe cooking plates, and various jars and toppings.

After completing a crepe cooking class, June is now making delicious crepes and business is booming.

She rents a place opposite a school to sell crepes, averaging about 100 crepes a day. The profit from her sales is now large enough that June can leave her administration job and concentrate on her crepe business full-time.

A good move, according to her customers.

"I have eaten crepes at other places but June's crepes are, by far, the most delicious," said 14-year-old Mun Gaew.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Who is Operation Blessing?
An international humanitarian aid organization dedicated to alleviating human need and suffering by providing food, water, medicine and disaster relief to those in need.

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1-800-730-2537