Author Archive
10 Things I Learned
By Peter Tashjian, KF11 Armenia
10 Random Things I Learned during my Kiva Fellowship:
1. Most people are good but carry memories of bad experiences. As soon as they address and resolve their interpretation of those experiences, their outlook on life improves almost immediately.
2. It’s a very emotional and life changing experience when a Kiva “Borrower Profile” you helped post is funded by hundreds of amazing “strangers” from around the world. Seeing the smiling faces of these lenders is very empowering.
3. Though the media reports mostly the negatives, the good work being done behind the scenes far outweigh the negatives which media chooses to focus on.
4. Kiva lends to entrepreneurs who are already on the road to helping themselves. This is not charity.
5. Being a Kiva Fellow is challenging work. The more comfortable you are in your own skin, the more effective you become in your mission to help reduce poverty.
6. When you are happy with yourself, everything and everyone around you suddenly improve.
7. I learned that the Armenian people in Yerevan, Armenia are art lovers. They make the art accessible to ordinary citizens and tourists by frequently having free concerts in various city centers along with art exhibitions.
8. Delicious apricots were originated in Armenia. A song by the name of Apricot Stone was entered in Eurovision 2010.
9. I was reminded that my life in Los Angeles is amazing, though I often forget this.
10. Don’t underestimate how much “strangers” care. Just look at the lenders on Kiva.org if you need a reminder.
An 8 Word Blog inspired by Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire”, featuring Marlon Brando
“I’ve always depended on the kindness of strangers.”
Should we be lending to men?
Recently, some interesting data was brought to my attention. Apparently women entrepreneurs are able to raise funds more quickly than men in the world of Kiva.
The secret to longevity
I noticed an elderly lady quickly climbing up a small hill. My first reaction was, what is she doing and why? I was rather surprised to see her climb this rather steep small hill at her age and her determination seemed unwavering. I few minutes later it became clear.
On the vanity of words
Coming back to Montaigne’s essay “On the Vanity of words”, we realize simply talking about something does not provide the satisfaction and impact as doing it.
Does the world care about you?
While we go around looking for that one person who can be our “world”, we sometimes forget that there is a “real world” out there as well
Kiva takes on Google?
Kiva goes where Google stops.
