Archive for June 17th, 2009
A Local Lending Place for Global Thinkers
At the fellows training some of my companeros seemed shocked that I’d want to do a fellowship in one of the most expensive cities in the world. I have to admit, I admire the cost of a Terere in Paraguay compared to price of latte in NYC. Regardless, it’s been an incredible experience to participate with Kiva on the US launch.
In many ways the fellowship, the entreprenuers, even New York City itself has at times seemed enormously comparable to a fellowship in a developing country (I mean have you used the subways here!!!???). But about the cause…
Why US microfinance….
By launching in the United States, Kiva is creating a local lending place for global thinkers. By supporting US microfinance and organizations like ACCION USA, you are supporting community.
Kiva lenders want to support individuals around the globe that work hard to support themselves and their families. These entrepreneurs also dream of creating legacies. Kiva is helping to provide equal access to capital for business owners that, regardless of the country they live in, have struggled to obtain the credit elsewhere.
I believe that by supporting a US business on Kiva, we truly understand the goal of microfinance- and we are balancing the scales to open up opportunities for everyone.
Trinidad wanted to start a daycare, a bank turned her away, a loan shark almost lured her… instead a pool of individuals on Kiva helped to make her dream reality.
Sustainability is one of Kiva’s principles. Who can argue that sustainability isn’t needed in the US?
Kiva lenders are supporting sustainable businesses, building communities and helping to create legacies- 25 dollars at a time.
_________________________________________
Erica Dorn is currently serving at ACCION USA. erica.dorn@fellows.kiva.org
4 comments 17 June 2009
¡Adios, Arariwa!
In a desperate last-minute attempt to get my name off the top of the “least-blogging fellows” list and fulfill my grandma’s request for more blogs, I’d like to share some of my favorite photos from my 10-week placement at Asociacion Arariwa in Cusco, Peru.
Arariwa is an amazing organization with an extremely dedicated group of loan officers. I was consistently impressed with loan officers’ dedication to their clients—not just putting in long hours for little pay and running risks by carrying cash, but in some cases even relocating to remote villages in order to serve clients without previous access to financial services. For example, Tula Barazorda and Armando Cabrera live and work in Pilcopata, a remote jungle town that’s 8+ hours from Cusco on rough, narrow dirt roads. Pilcopata is a sleepy little town where there’s little to do but shoot the breeze and swat the mosquitoes. One morning – over breakfast, no less – Tula and Armando had a long, nonchalant conversation about all the different kinds of bugs that can burrow under your skin, how to tell the difference, and the pros and cons of each one (never before have I been so grateful to my parents for raising me in Minnesota, where all we have is ticks).
All in all, my time at Arariwa was an incredible experience, and I’m already itching to go back and visit. I’m also looking forward to reading much more frequent blogs from my Arariwa successor, Lee Bruner!
To see all currently fundraising loans from Asociación Arariwa, click here.
Cynthia McMurry is a fourth-time Kiva fellow working with brand new Kiva field partner Fundación Espoir in Quito, Ecuador. Previously she worked with Fundación AgroCapital in Bolivia and FINCA Peru and Asociación Arariwa in Peru.
3 comments 17 June 2009
A $62 Million Dollar Mistake
The cancellation of funds and an expanding economic crisis has left the majority of Nicaragua’s poor without a support system.
Continue Reading 2 comments 17 June 2009
RSS - Posts