Archive for September, 2010
It pays to be a teacher in Azerbaijan
by Nina Nelan, KF12 Azerbaijan
As Kiva wraps up back-to-school month, I feel compelled to provide this perspective on a country that should, and could, do better in the education of its youth. It’s not hard to imagine that Azerbaijan, so resplendent with and dependent on its rich petrodollar economy, is setting itself up for failure when it pays so little attention to the quality and effectiveness of its educational programs. I hear stories of students who skip the majority of their classes, but secure passing grades with payments to their professors. These are Azerbaijan’s future doctors and lawyers and scientists and economists. The future looks very bleak indeed.
Happy National Coffee Day from Kiva
by Gabriel Francis, Kiva Fellow at FUDECOSUR Costa Rica
Today, coffee lovers across the United States celebrate National Coffee Day. While you enjoy your daily cup you can take joy in knowing that your Kiva loans help support the independent coffee farmers who made it possible.
A coffee farmer proudly shows of his crop funded by a Kiva Loan. 25% of Kiva loans to Costa Rica support independent coffee growers.
Microfinance Alone is Not Enough
By Julie Shea, KF12, Peru
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the relationship between microfinance and economic development of Peru on a countrywide scale. I’m struck by the fact that the microloans procured by female entrepreneurs, while instrumental in allowing the women to better their situations for themselves and their families, seem to have little direct influence on the economic development of Peru as a whole. For example, I have met very few loan recipients whose business activities are creating jobs; the majority of women work by themselves (and for themselves) in the informal economy.
Continue Reading 29 September 2010 at 09:00 julieshea 5 comments
The Challenge(s) to Getting a Great Borrower Picture
By Tara Capsuto, KF12, Ecuador
Taking a picture of a Kiva borrower sounds easy enough, right? Snap a picture at his or her business, shrink the photo size, upload to Kiva with the borrower profile. Three easy steps. That´s what I thought before I had the chance to see how very challenging this seemingly simple task can be. As many Kiva Fellows can attest, there are actually lots of challenges to snapping that coveted profile picture, you know that one with the borrower doing their soon-to-be-Kiva-funded work, with good lighting and a big smile? It`s that picture makes you want to make a loan before you even get to the borrower description. I’d like to describe one particular challenge to taking borrower pictures and end with a call for suggestions.
Continue Reading 28 September 2010 at 07:00 tcapsuto 10 comments
Where Are the U.S. Borrowers?
By Casey Koppelson, KF12, United States
If you’re a Kiva lender hoping to make a loan in the good ol’ USA, you may have trouble finding a borrower. Because there are few of them, Kiva loans from the U.S. tend to fund quickly—within 4 or 5 days, sometimes overnight. What’s behind Kiva’s U.S. loan shortage?
Continue Reading 27 September 2010 at 16:00 caseykoppelson 6 comments
Innovation in Microcredit: Women, Children and Second Chances
Betsy McCormick, KF12, Honduras
Here at FAMA in Honduras, the organization is always striving to go above and beyond to find ways to better serve clients, and to reach out to marginalized populations. Through a bit of foresight, an increasing tolerance for risk and a deep commitment to the community, FAMA has come up with three products that deserve special attention.
Continue Reading 27 September 2010 at 10:00 betsywmccormick 4 comments
“We Started Education.”
by Sam Kendall KF 12, Tajikistan
She looked at me very sternly, as if I had said something wrong, I knew that her students must be very obedient, because she was arguably the most intimidating teacher I had met in a post-soviet country, and I had met a lot of them. Rosa, as she wanted me to call her, even though it wasn’t her name, was a teacher in secondary school.
“You must, um, understand Sam,” she started out as if trying to figure out how to word her sentences correctly in English, “Tajikistan today, is not all of the land of Tajiks. Samarkand and Bukhara are also part of the wider land of Tajiks.”
“Ok Rosa,” I began to respond, “but what does that have to do with my question on education.”
She looked at me with her withering look again, I realized that it wasn’t mean, it was just impatient. I had become one of her students, and one who seemed to have a knack for talking back.
Let Them Eat Cake – Bakers on Strike
We all know the story of Marie Antoinette’s callous response upon being told that the people of France had no bread, right? “Let them eat cake!” Except she never actually said that, and the attributed saying didn’t involve cake, it referred to brioche, a rich bread made with eggs and butter. Well, when Senegalese bakers went on strike this week, the only alternative really was eating brioche, and it made me think a bit about the limitations of microfinance.
Continue Reading 24 September 2010 at 13:54 Abigail Salisbury 3 comments
Working to Closer Tolerances, Observation #3
from Casey Unrein, KF12
“They don’t often hit anyone, but they work to closer tolerances than taxi drivers in the USA do.”
The phrase “working to closer tolerances” struck me as lens for analysis of the developing world. The phrase invokes ideas of efficiency and perfection, but also risk and cost. In the developing world a large portion of the population works to closer tolerances than those in the developed world are accustomed. Residents of the developing world often make incredibly efficient use of limited resources and face a high level of risk on a daily basis. Here are some of my observations of closer tolerances in Peru.
Continue Reading 24 September 2010 at 13:00 Casey Unrein Leave a comment
A Special Thank You To One Of Our Lenders- Brian!
Today we’d like to give a very special thank you to one of our top individual lenders, Brian!
Brian is a University Chancellor in Fairbanks, Alaska, and has been lending on Kiva for nearly 5 years. With 3,046 loans, Brian has literally uplifted thousands of lives all over the world through micro-finance. Having a personal connection is crucial to our mission at Kiva, and so in thanks for his continuous support, one of the borrowers he has lended to has a very special video message for Brian.
Thanks for your ongoing support Brian! We think you are awesome.
Kiva love,
Brittany Boroian, KF12 with Faulu Kenya
Are Microfinance Borrowers “Borrowers” or are they “Entrepreneurs”?
By Tamara Crawford, KF12, Samoa
So back to the question – What is microfinance for? What is it supposed to be doing? Are borrowers just borrowers looking for access to financial services, or are they solely entrepreneurs?
Continue Reading 23 September 2010 at 09:00 Tamara 3 comments
Video: Uganda from the eyes of a Kiva Fellow
By Sarah Curl, KF 12 Uganda
After eight weeks in the field, I have logged some serious hours in matatus and buses. I thought I would share some of the things I come across on a day to day basis. Here is a short observational video of Uganda.
Continue Reading 23 September 2010 at 06:00 sarahcurl 6 comments
Working to Closer Tolerances, Observation #2
from Casey Unrein, KF12
“They don’t often hit anyone, but they work to closer tolerances than taxi drivers in the USA do.”
The phrase “working to closer tolerances” struck me as lens for analysis of the developing world. The phrase invokes ideas of efficiency and perfection, but also risk and cost. In the developing world a large portion of the population works to closer tolerances than those in the developed world are accustomed. Residents of the developing world often make incredibly efficient use of limited resources and face a high level of risk on a daily basis. Here are some of my observations of closer tolerances in Peru.
Continue Reading 22 September 2010 at 06:00 Casey Unrein 1 comment
The Cost of Clothing in Armenia
By Vanick Der Bedrossian, KF12 – Armenia
If I know anything about Armenia, it’s that people here know how to dress up. On any given night, Yerevan’s main opera square looks like a fashion show: beautiful women and handsome men are dressed up in nice clothes and are struting about, arm in arm.
Until recently I had no idea how much clothing cost here, or even where it came from. A few days ago I went on a Kiva borrower visit in a clothing market in central Yerevan.
Continue Reading 21 September 2010 at 05:09 vanickd 2 comments
Poverty and Paroxysm: an International Day of Peace Post
The first news reports on BBC, CNN, and AP said that the bomb went off at 8:10 in the morning. I swear though, that I heard it at 8:04. Its not every day that a young American not serving in the armed forces hears an explosion as they gets ready for work, but for Kiva Fellows, this isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
Reflections on my fellowship
KF11 James Allman-Gulino’s final blog post for his fellowship, touching on a few key thoughts about microfinance, his time in Uganda, and how his Kiva Fellowship has affected his future career plans.
Continue Reading 21 September 2010 at 00:01 James Allman-Gulino 8 comments
How Microfinance Helps Cacao Farmers
By Kelsey Quam, KF12 Ecuador
The agricultural work of cacao farmers of the rural loan group ¨Progreso Comunitario¨(¨Community Progress¨) in the subtropical region of Ecuador is not easy. They laugh when asked how they spend their free-time– agriculture is a full time job. Lately, farmers have been griping about pests called “mal de machete” and ¨escoba bruja¨ that have destroyed a large part of the cacao harvest this year.
Continue Reading 20 September 2010 at 06:39 kelseyquam 1 comment
Millennium Development Goals and Microfinance
By Anjali Fleury, KF12, Cambodia
Today world leaders, experts, and officials will meet in New York to discuss the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs were designed to combat the world’s leading concerns in development by eliminating poverty, hunger, disease and more through eight defined goals by the year 2015. The first goal, perhaps the quintessential goal of the MDGs, is to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. But how can this immense issue be tackled? Can microfinance institutions (MFIs) play a role?
Continue Reading 20 September 2010 at 06:27 anjalif 5 comments
Chile´s Bicentennial!
By Lorena Gil, KF12, Fondo Esperanza – Chile
On September 18th, Chile celebrates its bicentennial with a long four day weekend dedicated to asados (outdoor barbeques) and street fairs. For the past month everyone in Chile has anticipated and patiently waited for this weekend. Everywhere you look the Chileno pride is proudly displayed, cars and windows are adorned with the Chilean Flag.
Continue Reading 19 September 2010 at 12:23 gbrooklyn 1 comment
Urban Poor: A Peek into a Microcosm of Cambodia
By Shirley Fong, KF12, Angkor Mikroheranhvatho Kampuchea, Cambodia
It’s one of those places you won’t find unless you go looking for it – the slums of Chak Angre Leo. Located in the outer khan (district) of Meanchey in Cambodia’s capital city, the slums are a stark contrast from the familiar communities and gated residences in central Phnom Penh.
Continue Reading 19 September 2010 at 00:01 Shirley 8 comments
Working to Closer Tolerances, Observation #1
from Casey Unrein, KF12
“They don’t often hit anyone, but they work to closer tolerances than taxi drivers in the USA do.”
The phrase “working to closer tolerances” struck me as lens for analysis of the developing world. The phrase invokes ideas of efficiency and perfection, but also risk and cost. In the developing world a large portion of the population works to closer tolerances than those in the developed world are accustomed. Residents of the developing world often make incredibly efficient use of limited resources and face a high level of risk on a daily basis. Here are some of my observations of closer tolerances in Peru.
Continue Reading 18 September 2010 at 06:00 Casey Unrein 1 comment
The Ants Go Marching One By One
By John Rauschkolb III, KF-12, Philippines
During my first lazy Sunday afternoon I sat outside, catching the rays and admiring the scenery. A large ant farm freeway was busily working its way to and from its hive on the hill to a small apple core which was thrown there the day before. The ants were diligent and tireless until 4:55pm. GONE. No ant to be seen and still plenty of apple core left to be consumed. Why were they gone you ask? They knew, in 5 minutes the rain would be coming and they needed to get to high ground.
Continue Reading 17 September 2010 at 10:00 jrauschkolb3 Leave a comment
Education and Microfinance
By Becky Myers, KF12, Sierra Leone
A recent article from Nicholas Kristof (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/23/opinion/23kristof.html) argues that among the poorest families in the world, 2% of income is spent on educating children whereas larger percentages (6% in Indonesia and 8% in Mexico) is spent on alcohol and tobacco.
Continue Reading 16 September 2010 at 06:42 rm0506 8 comments
Inauguration Day in Rwanda
Monday September 6th was a national holiday here in Rwanda as the nation celebrated the inauguration of President Paul Kagame for a second seven year term. Controversy aside, there is no denying that President Kagame gets results.
Continue Reading 15 September 2010 at 09:24 Yonnie Leave a comment
Happy Indepen-dance
By Donald Hart, KF12, Tajikistan
What do Hillary Clinton, Dmitry Medvedev, Islam Karimov, and 2 Kiva Fellows have in common?
We all took time last week to wish Tajikistan a happy 19th anniversary of Independence.
BONUS VIDEO: fireworks in front of a national monument and finding oneself in the center of an impromptu dance circle.
Continue Reading 14 September 2010 at 04:15 donaldhart 8 comments
The Importance of Context
By Julie Shea, KF12
Since arriving at Manuela Ramos’s Puno office on August 12th, I have attended ten Community Bank monthly meetings and interviewed approximately 70 clients. In theory, the routine is the same: I meet up with the Community Bank’s Loan Officer (sometimes as early as 6am because we have far to travel), and we head off to the meeting together, often traveling via ”combi” (small vans) to ”moto-taxi” (motorcycle taxis) to car to ”moto-taxi”…depending on how remote the location of the meeting is, always the trip involves multiple modes of transportation, often it involves waiting for more passengers (drivers won’t leave until every seat is occupied, preferably all standing room should be occupied too), and sometimes it involves walking the last stretch.
Continue Reading 13 September 2010 at 17:00 julieshea 4 comments
Worlds Apart: Connecting with Borrowers
By Anjali Fleury, KF12, Cambodia
Kiva is based on the principle that an average person can lend through microfinance and help borrowers all over the world. One aspect of my fellowship is to foster the connection between borrowers and lenders, and in the course of my work I have had the opportunity to meet with borrowers and hear their stories.
Continue Reading 13 September 2010 at 06:10 anjalif 12 comments
From Piñatas to Flower Arranging: Kiva Loans and Community Development
Betsy McCormick, KF12, Honduras
Some lenders may be unaware that Kiva loans have the potential to benefit a wider clientele than the selected entrepreneurs. As a member of the Kiva community, you know that lenders don’t receive any interest that the client pays back on the loan. So, you may ask, what becomes of it? In some cases, the Microfinance Institution (MFI) that administered the loan may use it to increase their operational self-sufficiency. But, in other cases, the interest that the client pays to the MFI empowers that organization to invest in social programs that it may not otherwise be able to afford. A brief history of a Honduran MFI, FAMA, and description of my new favorite holiday may help to illuminate this connection.
Continue Reading 12 September 2010 at 10:00 betsywmccormick 1 comment
Microfinance and Education
By Tara Capsuto, KF12, Ecuador
Since it’s back to school month at Kiva I thought I’d take the opportunity to spotlight the role of education in microfinance. Microfinance alone is not a silver bullet to eradicate poverty. To be most effective, microfinance must be part of a broader schema of social and economic development. Providing education to microfinance clients on topics ranging from marketing to reproductive health is one of the key ways in which microfinance institutions (MFIs) can serve the broader needs of their clients. Let`s take a look at microfinance with education at Fundación Espoir, where I spent the past 6 weeks, and then take a higher level view.
Continue Reading 11 September 2010 at 08:45 tcapsuto 9 comments
