Author Archive
A Farm for the Poorest of the Poor
In our first week as Kiva trainees we were taught that microloans are not intended for the very poorest of the poor. Microfinance institutions target the unbankable poor, those who can benefit from a loan for an income-generating activity. There is another level of poverty below that, those who need emergency help for basic human needs. Many MFIs develop alternative services for this segment of the population. At CCT, one of Kiva’s partners in the Philippines, they have started a sustainable farm for street dwellers: Kaibigan (“Friend”) Village. (more…)
A Microfinance Classroom in the Philippines
In the U.S., there is a great deal of concern about hidden fees from financial service providers. “Read the fine print!” we are warned, because this is where fees and special conditions hide.
In a small village in Antique Province in the Philippines, I witnessed an entirely different approach. (more…)
Solb! 21 Centers, 21 Meals, 1 Day in Antique
“Solb” or “solve” is Filipino slang for “problem solved,” and typically said upon finishing a big meal. My problem (hunger) is solved, and I am full.
Was I ever solb last Friday…
Reflections on a U.S. Fellowship
By Casey Koppelson, KF12 United States & KF13 Philippines
A video of an Opportunity Fund client demonstrating how to re-shoe a horse. In some ways, Mike is your typical U.S. microfinance client.
Kiva Launches With a New U.S. Partner
By Casey Koppelson, KF12, United States
Last week Kiva launched a new partnership in the United States: ACCION Texas-Louisiana. How does Kiva usher in new partners? I spoke to Libby Parsons at ACCION Texas-Louisiana to find out.
Happy Birthday, Kiva!
By Casey Koppelson, KF12, San Francisco
Last night the Kiva family gathered in San Francisco to celebrate five years of connecting people through lending. In a speech at the VIP reception, Kiva president Premal Shah asked the audience if they could name factors behind Kiva’s success. What is Kiva’s secret ingredient?
Scoping Out the Competition
By Casey Koppelson, KF12, United States
One of my side projects here at Opportunity Fund is to learn about the competition—banks, credit unions, not-for-profits, and payday lenders—and how they are advertising small loans. What sort of messages are potential clients seeing?
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?
A Celebration for Savers in San Jose
By Casey Koppelson, KF12, United States
On Saturday I attended a Savers Party in San Jose. The party (complete with balloons, a DJ, and face painting) was thrown by Opportunity Fund, Kiva’s field partner in San Francisco. I spoke to a client who had earned $4,000 through the IDA Savings matching program.
