Author Archive
What does Microfinance “look like” in the US?
By: Kimia Raafat
I had my doubts about microfinance in San Francisco. Having 7 months of work experience at microfinance institutes in Ecuador and Paraguay, the images I associated with South American field visits (see two photos below) included cane homes, wooden kiosks, rural shops and unpaved roads—slightly different from the “techy”, modern Silicon Valley/San Francisco state of mind.
Host a Kiva representative at your event!
By Kimia Raafat, KF11, San Francisco
Kiva has always been about connections; connecting people, through lending, for the sake of alleviating poverty. Now, we would like to bring our “person to person connection” mantra a little closer to you– by presenting our Kiva Speakers Program.
Whether you are hosting an event on poverty alleviation, women’s rights issues, microfinance or incorporating Kiva into your classroom’s curriculum, the Kiva Speaker’s Program gives Kiva friends the opportunity to share ideas with a Kiva representative.
Simply complete a request form, and we will match a representative to you based on availability and feasibility. We may match you with a former Kiva Fellow, who will share personal field experiences: meeting borrowers, working at a microfinance institute and witnessing the firsthand effects of your Kiva loans. Or perhaps Kiva President, Premal Shah or Kiva Co-founder, Matt Flannery may share their ideas at your event!
We hope to bring a little Kiva Love to an event near you soon!
Micro-Franchising: Despensas are the new 7-11
By Kimia Raafat, KF10 Paraguay
College students must pick a major. They distress over the decision: economics or accounting? Political science or general studies? Should I double-major? Add a concentration? And throughout the process, there are many that pick one out of obligation (with no path in mind), they hope for the best, and of course, hope this decision will lead to future professional success.
Microfinance borrowers must pick a career—they risk taking out a loan to invest in their business. They distress over the decision: Despensa(general store) or clothing sales? Should I double-up my business by selling empanadas? And throughout the process, there are many that pick an activity out of obligation (often with no path in mind), they hope for the best, and of course, hope this decision will lead to future professional success.
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!
Although lard has always been a popular alternative to butter, and a readily accessible by-product of pork, I have somehow managed to remain a lard simpleton—until now! Upon approaching the home of one Fundación Paraguaya borrower, Gloria Elizabeth Cabrera de Echeverria, I expected to find a typical despensa (general store) or home tailoring store, instead I was kindly greeted by the lingering scent of rendered pig-fat!
Offense Defense
With Super Bowl Sunday upon us, I have begun to think of life as a football game. Closer analysis of the sport inevitably leads to two topics of deliberation: offense and defense. Sunday night, the Colts and the Saints will be rotating their players based on their specialized roles in the field. We will see the offense attack, take control and engage the opposing team with the objective of scoring points. Then there is the defense, guarding their possession and protecting it from attack. As I thought about these two “ways of life”, I realized, I myself had rotated between offense and defense modes since living in South America.
Kiva Lenders: Steps to Empowerment
By Kimia Raafat, KF9 Ecuador
With the holiday season upon us and Kiva Gift Certificates flowin like Cristal and Dom Perignon in a Diddy rap video, I figured it would be a good time to review with lenders (both old and new), the process of a Kiva Loan. Here is a link to the video me and my best friend, Emily Enberg made for the Tongal/Kiva Video Contest… Happy Holidays!
http://tongal.com/app/submissionDetail.action?id=640;EL1474
Kimia Raafat is a Kiva Fellow (KF9) at a new Kiva partner, D-MIRO in Guayaquil, Ecuador. If you would like to know more about D-MIRO please visit the Partner page or Lend!
Poco a Poco, no?
By Kimia Raafat, KF9 Ecuador
Like the galloping horsemen on a Ralph Lauren polo shirt, Kiva’s leafy “loans that change lives” logo has come to symbolize a certain status in the world of microfinance institutions (MFIs). The Kiva stamp of approval signifies that after careful due diligence, an institution has been deemed dependable and successful in their mission to make a significant social impact.
It was only a few months ago that Fundacion D-MIRO Mision Alianza had been approved to join Kiva’s network of 105 field partners. D-MIRO’s employees are delighted and proud to use kiva.org to showcase their organization’s efforts online, but as I quickly learned, it is truly the financial savings made possible by Kiva that proved more pressing to this field partner… (more…)
My Motorcycle Diary from Guayaquil
By Kimia Raafat, KF9 Ecuador
Last week, I blogged about D-MIRO’s influence in the peri-urban zones of Guayaquil. There is no way to describe the dedicated D-MIRO staff members and the lengths they go to reach those marginalized from the traditional financial system. So I opted to film a sample day! Here is “My Motorcycle Diary”:
Main Street = D-MIRO’s Main Priority
Fortin district of Guayaquil
The recession has affected most families in one form another. Personally, I was laid off from my first post-collegiate job and ushered over to the unemployment line. Post lay-off, I spent a solid week sitting in my pajamas and watching the news. I rolled my eyes as every other segment was titled “from Wall Street to Main Street”.
Upon arrival in Guayaquil, I quickly learned that the fallout of the recession looks different in Ecuador (more…)
Graduating the Cabby Test = Kiva Fellow!
By Kimia Raafat, KF9 (Ecuador)
Last night, I said goodbye to my KF9 classmates and flagged down a cab. Departing KFP9 graduation dinner, I couldn’t help but wonder, “Am I really ready to be a graduate? to be a Kiva Fellow?!”
I pushed my uncertainties to the side while greeting and directing my cab driver. He was a friendly Ethiopian man and obviously curious about what I had been doing with the rowdy crowd in Baghdad Nights. Maybe he saw all of the ridiculously good looking people inside (my KF9 classmates and/or Kiva Staff members)? perhaps he caught a glimpse of some belly dancing? Or any of the Kiva staff/fellow dancing for that matter! Regardless of the reasoning, my cab driver wanted to know more about what I was doing.
When suddenly it hit me! This was my graduation test! (more…)
