Reservoir Microloans
2 December 2008
In my first week at Kiva’s rising-star field partner, AMK Cambodia, I was lucky enough to go on a two-day trip to the Kampong Cham province with the aim of meeting some Kiva clients and taking some photos for the AMK marketing department.
Over the 36 hours I took around 1500 photos – partly because Cambodians are super photogenic, and partly because 95% of my photos look as though Sambo the Phnom Penh elephant took them (he lacks opposable thumbs). With his eyes shut.
I made this short video of a loan being disbursed to the Sreymom Suong Group. They were pleased to become Kiva clients for the first time, even if it did mean having to pose for a photo or two. It’s not quite Tarantino, but it’s certainly in a similar ballpark.
Below are some of my favourite photos from the trip, if you like them you can go to this flickr slideshow to see the rest.

To see more AMK loans that are currently fundraising on Kiva, go here





2 December 2008 at 12:58 pm
Your pictures are AMAZING.
2 December 2008 at 4:39 pm
Thanks for the video! You have great potential as a documentary film producer. Also, you explained why the dispersal date is sometimes before the loan is released from Kiva, which I wondered about. The photos are lovely and poetic, as well.
2 December 2008 at 6:08 pm
thanks for your post and your absolutely wonderful pictures
Susan
3 December 2008 at 2:42 am
Kieran, love the photos. You truly have a talent for it. And No, it is not just the great camera you use.
3 December 2008 at 3:14 am
awesome video Kieran! i think i just officially decided to apply for a Kiva Fellowship next year. thanks for the inspiration!
3 December 2008 at 5:22 am
Kieran,
Your photos are fantastic, you have a good eye! Enjoyed the video and your sense of humour too.
Thank you!
3 December 2008 at 9:48 pm
Making the most of your time, eh? Very excellent video. Cambodia’s a pretty photogenic country, no? You will come to adore the sight of sugar palms in the rice fields.
Thanks for these.
4 December 2008 at 9:00 am
You’re pictures are amazing! I’ve been to Cambodia before and it’s gorgeous. I try to keep a look out for loans from that country, because it was really the first time I was ever exposed to poverty, and it really affected me. That’s why I love Kiva so much. I have the oppurtunity to help other people.
4 December 2008 at 2:24 pm
look at you Kieran, inspiring people to become Kiva Fellows!
and you’ve inspired me to stop being quite so shy about taking out my camera to capture some of the moments here in Kenya…
wonderful work!
11 December 2008 at 9:57 am
Love the video and photos! The video is fun and educational at the same time. Great music.
7 January 2009 at 12:03 am
Amazing photos, dude.