yesterday, while I was eating lunch…
16 March 2010 at 18:06 marydear 6 comments
Before I applied to the Kiva Fellowship. I had a very sexy image of microfinance -sitting at home reading the NYT, and leading my Kiva lending team. I never wondered, ” How does the actual money get there?” never thought about the locals in countries like Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Uganda, and Columbia who must deliver Kiva loans – the loan officers.
Today I am a grateful Kiva Fellow, working in the field with one of Kiva’s MFI (Microfinance) Field Partners in Cambodia who employ these loan officers. And now I think about these loan officers – a lot. They are rockstars whose living conditions are typically better than their clients but they also deal with the same corruption, disparity of income, lack of infrastructure, violence, political instability that fuels the existing poverty cycle and creates a growing need for Microfinance. I also think about Kiva’s Field Partner’s – a lot. Are you wondering exactly what/who a field partner is? In short, Kiva Field Partners are the pistons in Kiva’s engine – they transform combustion (internet lenders using Kiva’s Platform to loan money to the working poor) into motive power ( loan officers delivering your loan money to the working poor – after due dilegence – cash flow analysis, ability to repay, social standing in the community, etc).
Components of a typical, four stroke cycle, DOHC piston engine. (E) Exhaust camshaft, (I) Intake camshaft, (S) Spark plug, (V) Valves, (P) PISTON, (R) Connecting rod, (C) Crankshaft, (W) Water jacket for coolant flow.
On the flip side Kiva helps the MFI Partner’s engine run by providing o% interest loans (although the MFI Partner’s operating expenses due to increased labor in posting Kiva Loans etc. do rise as a result of the relationship) but the relationship also helps small Kiva Partners get more exposure and funding.
Learn more about how Microfinance works
So I guess I want you to know that Microfinance is not sexy (an image you may have nestled in your subconscious – like I did – it just does not do it justice ) and that today when I pick up my spoon at lunch I’ll be doing a little internal shout out to the loan officers who put their lives at risk everyday to help Kiva’s engine run. Oh, and one more thing the interesting project the microfinance clients are working on…it’s called “their life.” Sorry for being a little snarky- I just got that question so many times this week!!
Mary Riedel is currently doing her KF 10 placement at Maxima., one of Kiva’s Field Partners after spending time as a KF9 in the Philippines working with ASKI another Kiva Partner.
Entry filed under: KF10 (Kiva Fellows 10th Class). Tags: .
1. Susie | 18 March 2010 at 10:26
You keep telling us the truth! It’s what we all need to hear. Today I am grateful for the truth, healthy teeth (smart chick that loan officer!) and all my friends, including you MaryDear
Don’t stop with snarky.
2. Antonia | 18 March 2010 at 04:55
I must say I have thought of this possibility many times………. and it is the first time I read about. Hopefully loan officers are trained in personal defence
3. Greg | 17 March 2010 at 06:22
A little snarky is OK!
Thanks for reminding us that there is a world beyond our armchairs that is entirely centered on folks getting on with their lives.
4. Andrew Hunt | 17 March 2010 at 04:25
Hopefully, the loan to the attempted rapist was revoked and changes were filed? If the loan was not revoked, please post the man’s name and associated Field Partner so that none of my future money will be given him. Thank you.
5. marydear | 17 March 2010 at 17:38
Hi Andrew – thanks for your comment! It was not a client, it was a man in the village walking around. I do not beliee he was a member of the community
6. Jacob | 17 March 2010 at 02:10
Holy moly.