More Green Loans Please
3 January 2010 at 11:46 Meg 41 comments
By Meg Gray, KF9 Nicaragua
Yarlin proudly shows me the solar panel she purchased with her Kiva loan.
As a Kiva lender, I wistfully search the “green loans” category every time I go to relend my funds on Kiva.org.
Sadly, I feel like I almost always get the “no loans found” response. This is too bad for many reasons. Green loans, such as solar panels, fruit trees, or water filtration systems, have such a profound (and sustainable) impact on the borrower’s life while also helping the environment at-large. CEPRODEL, my MFI, for instance, has a reforestation program where clients receive a loan to buy a mixture of trees to plant along riverbeds on their property.This protects the river from erosion caused be deforestation in the area and in the long term, the fruit trees will also provide food for the borrower’s families.
CEPRODEL client, Yarlin Moreno, is another example of a green loan. She used her Kiva loan to buy a solar panel for her house. Before the solar panel, her family did not have electricity. Her family lives so remotely that their whole community is off the power grid and her daughter, literally, walks almost 4 miles to school each day. Now they have several light bulbs and a very small television. This Kiva loan- this GREEN Kiva loan- has completely changed their lives. They can do work in the evening, watch television, and keep up with local news. CEPRODEL has a whole list of clients like this who used Kiva loans to get solar panels which in turn gave their families power for the first time. Yet since they all live so remotely I only got to visit Yarlin.
Stories like this just make me wish even more that green loans were a common occurrence on the Kiva platform. I find it a bit discouraging that I can never find green loans and yet I can almost always find loans for chemical fertilizers or making charcoal. And why are green loans missing? There are a lot of reasons green loans might be missing. Here are some of my best guesses/ponderings:
1) Loan limit too small. In Latin America, for instance, loans are limited to $1200. In Nicaragua this is only enough to buy the smallest size of solar panel. Clients wanting a larger panel won’t qualify for Kiva. Maybe there should be an exception made for green loans?
2) MFI’s don’t understand what the “green” category is and don’t mark loans in this category. This is definitely true at CEPRODEL where the solar panels are generally listed as housing loans. “Green” is not a concept that translates easily. (Unfortunately, CEPRODEL hasn’t had any new solar panel loans for me to demonstrate the purpose of the green category with)
3) Easier to find funding for this type of loan from other sources. This is a guess, but I know there are other organizations out there that are eager to fund this type of project.
Any thoughts? I’d love to hear more suggestions and ideas on this front. And I look forward to the day when every time I go on Kiva, I have my choice of solar panels, water filters, reforestation projects, etc…
Meg Gray is currently working with Kiva’s field partner CEPRODEL in Nicaragua, where she is also dreaming of the day when green loans are plentiful on the Kiva website. Support another CEPRODEL entrepreneur here or pick up a Kiva gift certificate for the special someone who is still on your list…
Entry filed under: All, CEPRODEL, KF9 (Kiva Fellows 9th Class), Nicaragua. Tags: CEPRODEL, KF9 (Kiva Fellows 9th Class), Kiva, Meg Gray, microfinance, Nicaragua.
1. dony | 21 August 2011 at 22:25
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3. MR. LIN POH | 25 April 2011 at 00:42
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4. MR. LIN POH | 23 March 2011 at 18:28
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if you are interested in securing a loan with us, you are advice to forward your request to E-mail: linpohloanfirm@yahoo.com.sg, Regards.
5. MR. PETER KOH | 18 March 2011 at 20:55
I am Lim Ping Wong i was in need of a loan S$80,000 and my Sister introduce me to Mr. Peter Koh and he lend me the loan without any stress.you can contact him via email peterkohloanfirms65@yahoo.com.sg
6. president | 17 April 2011 at 07:41
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8. Mr. Kani Baha Hakim. | 27 February 2011 at 04:51
I’m Mr. Kani Baha Hakim (CEO) of Kani Loan Firm, we are a registered, accredited and government approve loan lender that offer loan to individual and corporate bodies in need of loan, contact Emails:kaniloanfirm@gmail.com(kaniloanfirm@hotmail.com)
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11. young lee | 5 February 2011 at 00:19
Last year I was in search for a business loan and I was referred to Mr Roland the manager of young lee Loan Company by a friend of mine who also took from this firm to establish a business. I applied for a loan of $150,000 and it was approved and given to me. This firm normally gives a yearly bonus of $4000 to old customers who have been doing business with the company at least a year that can refer 10 customers, that is why I am posting here today. I am proud to refer anyone who is in need of a personal/business loan and any kind of loan to meet the manager of young lee Loan Company through email….. youngleeloanfirm@yahoo.com.sg I’m Michelle Gabriella
12. Husnain Ahmed | 29 September 2010 at 02:48
i gave money to Mr Hussein Ahmed,
i gave money to him and i never no that him was a scammed in Pakistan and i will want the FBI to help me get him and return my money back to me,and i will also want the world to know that Mr husnain Ahmed is a web scammed and has posted Mr Mohammed Ahmed that is a scammed,i will want all the world to know that Mr Husnain is the scammed not Mr Mohammed
contact me i have all about him i will give you the full details
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Please beware of this man is a snake.
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15. Husnain Ahmed | 29 September 2010 at 02:20
He is a scammer because he said me i will help you in receiving your loan he scammed me by taking $25 and after then he said me that send again $200 to re-active your MTCN code please all fellows don’t trust him he is just a scammer
Mr.Mohammed Ahmed
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Contact Number : 002347061996681
He is a Scammer Nigerian Contact his report to efccnigeria.org
16. Daryl | 12 February 2010 at 04:15
When I joined Kiva, I wanted to make a loan to agricultural workers, because I believe food security to be vital. However, most of the clients in agriculture stated that they wanted money to buy fertilisers (presumably NPK) and pesticides. I understand the need to increase yieldsI don’t think this is a good idea in the long term, since it’s unsustainable.
I eventually made a loan to a women’s co-operative in Columbia, who want to buy more land and banana trees.
A ‘green’ category should be added and include things which have a low or reduced environmental impact. In my opinion these types of sustainable development must also be encouraged.
17. Amanda | 12 January 2010 at 15:29
Hello Good Day,
I saw your question I have decided to help people out
due to the fact that I myself have been scammed three
times by three lenders in my search for a loan but at
last I got a reliable lender. That gave me the loan
($90,000) that I was in need off. Hence I
decided that I will refer anybody I come across to this
God sent lender he is reliable and his terms are fair.
You can reach him via his email address:
(erivanjonkerfirm_lender@yahoo.com), Please tell him that
Amanda Fisher from.CANADA ask you to come OK
18. Lauren | 8 January 2010 at 07:13
So interesting, Meg! You do such great work!
19. Josh | 7 January 2010 at 00:51
Great post Meg. It’s always great to strike a chord. One great point is this: solar is cheaper than kerosene. These solar lanterns are for people without access to the grid. The idea that solar is “green” should be thought of as an added benefit in my opinion. Above all, solar saves money, which is the most important thing.
20. Corey Tracey | 6 January 2010 at 08:38
Hi David
I strongly support different forms support for developing communities like irrigation and clean water sources.
I guess applying the green label to them makes sense … green is painted so broadly across the canvas now that its hard to know what actually reduces or impacts in a positive way renewable resources and or long term climate health.
The “moneymaker pump” is a fantastic example … thanks so much for brining that to my attention.
Corey
21. Davide Chiavegatti | 6 January 2010 at 11:30
Hi Corey,
you’re right, it’s difficult to say what’s effective and what’s not. The only way I’ve found to assess it is just to see what’s WORKING on the spot, what is accepted by the people on different countries, at different levels, on different opportunities.
Vive la difference, the French are sayng, and I subscribe to that. “Green” stuff can work on a place and cannot in another.
I strongly believe that exchanges of information, at all levels, can make the difference.
22. rogers | 6 January 2010 at 07:00
How come he field partners don’t show a page for borrowing?
It’s only lending.
Can pearl micro finance charge interest on loans?
Can one apply online, and how is it possible if one wants a loan from Pearl micro finance?
23. Davide Chiavegatti | 6 January 2010 at 00:39
I totally share the vision of Meg and I strongly support it!
Energy, water and sanitation are always crucial. There are a lot of interesting experiences in sustainable techs for energy, not necessarily only related to sun. Just to have a hint: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/william_kamkwamba_how_i_harnessed_the_wind.html
Or another example on water:
http://kickstart.org/tech/technologies/micro-irrigation.html
Best wishes for a shiny 2010
24. RaviG | 5 January 2010 at 09:18
Hi Meg,
Excellent start to bring awareness about green loans within the Kiva community. As Kiva Fellows work with MFIs, they could help them in tagging qualifying loans to the sector: green. Members on Give Green – Environmental Loans team can provide a list of loan types that would fit into the green sector. Best wishes and Happy 2010.
Cheers,
– ravi
25. Meg | 5 January 2010 at 07:56
I’m glad I could get the conversation started. That is what I was hoping to do. And thanks to those who chimed in with other examples of green loans that have been available. I always find it interesting to hear about new projects.
@Corey I see your point, but I don’t think that it is a comparison (solar panel vs business) that can be made so easily. After talking to clients and loan officers about solar panels, one of the benefits I keep hearing about is that it allows families to continue doing work after dark (repairing tools etc), so the solar panels are promoting a family business as well. I also think Dave made a good point about solar panels eliminating types of light/energy that are unhealthy both for the environment and for people. Having better light for their children to do their homework by was another reason many families wanted solar panels. I think this promotes the longer term well being of a family even if it isn’t a direct benefit to the family business.
26. Melanie | 5 January 2010 at 06:52
Great post, thanks! There are over 550 members of the Give Green – Environmental Loans team that are eager to learn about sustainable loans. If we don’t help the developing world to live more sustainably, the future will be all the bleaker for the poor. Feel free to share loans that are sustainable with our members; we are constantly searching for bicycle sales/repairs, solar, chemical free agriculture, cobblers, recyclers, etc, etc. but they are all too rare. Many of us would welcome the opportunity to fund solar power, even if it meant longer repayment terms, etc.
~ Melanie (Give Green – Environmental Loans team chair)
27. Adam KB | 5 January 2010 at 05:21
Great post Meg. But if your point 3 is right – and I think it probably is (a couple of Kiva’s Bolivian MFI partners have green products that are funded by other orgs) – what’s the need to get more green loans on Kiva?
28. Victoria | 5 January 2010 at 14:48
Sure, if point 3 is right, it’s great that they’re getting funded at all. But I think having green loans on the site would attract another whole group of people to Kiva, who would then probably go on to make other loans, which would be great for Kiva.
29. Dave | 5 January 2010 at 02:33
People are looking at solar as just providing light. It also reduces the harmful effects of smoke from kerosine lanterns or generators and it also leads to an increase in household income once the solar initial costs have been re-paid.
Maybe KIVA needs to train its interns in eco friendly technologies so that these can be demonstrtaed to the MFIs in the host country. Im sure a donor or the companies involved would pay for samples to be used.
I have found that people need to be sesitized to what is effectly an unused and untried product
30. Tanja | 4 January 2010 at 15:17
Hello,
I have been here on Kiva only for a couple of days and when I was choosing my first loan I immediately searched for Green category and nothing could be found. This planet is getting smaller and smaller and I truly believe that all people of the world should work towards a more sustainable future and that ecopreneurs are the ones that should be supported
31. Corey Tracey | 4 January 2010 at 14:51
I guess I have a problem with this … particularly with the solar panel loan.
When I compare the amount of families that need everyday necessities with those that may need what is a luxury in comparison I don’t find the decision that hard to make.
I agree that electricity should be a given .. I agree that contributing $ to plant trees to stop deforestation is also important but when I compare it to loaning $ for a small business that feeds a family … hard choice.
32. Julie | 4 January 2010 at 14:13
Wow, great post Meg. In an ideal world it would be really cool if Kiva could work as a platform to help promote green loans…
33. Post on Kiva Fellows Blog- More Green Loans Please « Meg's Travels and Other Thoughts | 4 January 2010 at 11:01
[...] http://fellowsblog.kiva.org/2010/01/03/more-green-loans-please/ [...]
34. Anna | 4 January 2010 at 09:18
I would love to see a permaculture partner to start up permaculture projects and farms. I look for trees or organic farmers or other home businesses that are environmentally friendly. I hope 2010 will bring many more loans for environmentally beneficial projects and small businesses. Anna
35. Antonia | 6 January 2010 at 07:46
I would definitly go wild for more green loans ! Pleeeease !!
36. Marsha | 4 January 2010 at 07:08
Whenever I want to make a loan, I check the Green category first. Education and Health are next and there are rarely loans in those three categories. Thanks for explaining the lack of Green loans.
37. Rachel | 4 January 2010 at 04:42
Thanks for posting thiskind of info. I am fairly new to kiva, having joined only 6 months ago. When I look for borrowers to lend to, I usually look for those who are loaning to improve thier livelihood, and not so much on green category. Your post has certainly opened a new avenue for me to do my searches. And, yes, I will be willing to supportthese kinds of projects.
Thanks and more power!
Rachel
Philippines
38. Patricia | 3 January 2010 at 16:29
From a Kiva field update from Kiva Fellow, Jane Lim, sent on December 23, 2009:
“The other initiative is the introduction of eco-loans. In order to mitigate the pollution brought about by coal burning in winter, XacBank has introduced loans for subsidized environmentally friendly products such as energy efficient stoves and ger blankets. Ger blankets are an alternative form of insulation that wraps around a ger, keeping it warm without the need to burn fuel. Eco-loans were introduced this winter and XacBank hopes they will be popular.”
Currently, I have one Mongolian loan for solar panels. It would be wonderful to have more eco-loans! Many folks have asked about them.
Thank you.
Patricia
San Francisco, California
39. Suzy Marinkovich | 3 January 2010 at 15:45
Hey Meg!
Great post. MicroEnergy Credits is a Seattle-based company/org that I mentioned in my last post (on climate change in Bolivia) that is partnering w/mfis in carbon offset schemes.
I think #1 is the most easily-solvable obstruction you mentioned. Unfortunately there are other ones, like the fact that a lot of solar-powered ovens take much longer (more hours) to cook with. Although as always, technology improves. And w/coal, it’s tough as it’s so rainforest depleting, but there are “clean coal” initiatives (burying the coal thus burying the carbon) that might make more sense in the short term – as the developing world’s dependency on coal is so pervasive that some argue it could help to tackle it by spreading this practice first (until we have the cheap and renewable energy needed for sustainability).
I think the big obstruction that is a bit out of our control – unless we work in that industry of course – is getting really good solar panel security systems in place to prevent theft (really common in East Africa, for one) and improve technology on them to make them cheaper and more alluring for borrowers.
And last point – I totally agree that MFIs need to be more educated on the option of selecting “green loans” and what that entails.
Great post and I am so glad to hear another KF’s views on the issue. Thanks Meg!!
40. Jan & John, KivaFriends | 3 January 2010 at 15:02
We have one solar panel loan from 2008… it is very small… only $450 and is Ceprodel Nicaragua for 22 months… Maria will be paid back in 3 more months. I thought at the time it was wonderful for a farmer with 4 children to invest in solar. I have been watching and have never seen another one. I don’t actively search because I think the people on the ground know best what they need. When I have a choice, though, I will choose the greener alternative… ie the Cambodian loans to purchase manure over the ones for chemical fertilizers. I think a smart MFI would realize that certain words will help the loan fund faster… the lenders need to let their dollars speak. jan
41. Leszek | 22 August 2010 at 10:55
Bardzo proszę o pożyczkę w kwocie 200000 tys. dolarów na okres 25 lat, pożyczkę chce zainwestowac w zakup ciągnika do zrywki drewna w lesie. Bardzo dziękuję.