Mar 17, 2013 Timor-Leste TL
An Unstable Foundation

In western mythology the phoenix, rising from its own ashes, represents cyclical extinction and regeneration; death and re-birth. Human stories lack the mythical qualities of the tales they inspire.

"On 30 August 1999, in a UN-supervised popular referendum, an overwhelming majority (78.5%) of the people of Timor-Leste voted for independence from Indonesia. However, in the next three weeks, anti-independence Timorese militias - organized and supported by the Indonesian military -...

Mar 17, 2013 Kenya KE

After spending three weeks in Kenya (a third one in Tanzania reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro) and having the chance of experiencing the realities of the field as a Kiva Zip fellow I can’t feel more blessed with life for being here. I define it as opportunity for learning while doing an impact and that is everything I need for my life at the moment. I am having the perfect exposure to gather the strength and confidence I need in order to achieve catalyst change in the way people think and act. Only with the sake of bringing process to humanity...

Mar 16, 2013 South Africa ZA

Joburg's Central Business District has the most dense collection of skyscrapers in Africa
Johannesburg. Joburg. Jozi. Joziburg. Whatever you call this city, it had me at hello. Let’s face it, Johannesburg doesn’t have the best reputation. When you tell people you’re moving here they fear for your safety and question your judgment. And though most tourists arrive in South Africa via Joburg, they quickly move on to other destinations. They are...
Mar 14, 2013 India IN
Ima Market: A Tangerine Dream By Stasi Baranoff
Ima Market is a noteworthy fixture in the city of Imphal. Located mere meters from Kangla Palace, the most noteworthy historical site in the city, it’s the hub of basically all commodity trade in Manipur. Walking or driving toward it is actually fairly difficult, as it attracts so many customers that the area surrounding it becomes congested at any time of day with rickshaws, autorickshaws, cars, mopeds, and pedestrians all competing for road space.   The marketplace is lauded as the largest all-women’s market in Asia. One article I found about the market actually claims it...
Mar 12, 2013 Nicaragua NI
When I started my fellowship in Managua I was advised by many people to find a trusted taxi driver.  Although much of the crime in the city is non-violent, petty-theft and street crime is frequent – especially when getting from point A to point B.    So, I asked around, and after trying about 15 numbers without any luck I finally came across a driver by the name of Jesús.  For the past four weeks Jesús has taken me to and from work, and it’s been a blast getting to know him.  He always has a smile on his face, has a great sense of humor, and...
Mar 12, 2013

This last week I have started to meet borrowers and feel the reality they face. It is a reality full of difficulties and challenges, in which a small amount of money can make the difference to the person that receives it, his family and his community.

ID Ghana has a different approach to microfinance, they call it “Onipa Nua”. It is based on group relationships. What they do is forming 15 to 40 people groups (95% of members are women) and they are trained in different abilities: saving, convive, how to manage a business, loaning, health…and many more areas that help them build a...

Mar 12, 2013 Colombia CO
Carnaval de Barranquilla By roselarsen
Quien lo goza, lo vive! He who lives it, enjoys it!

by Rose Larsen | KF19 Colombia | KF20 Dominican Republic

Barranquilla goes through something of a transformation in the months leading up to Carnaval.

Carnaval is the one period of the year when Barranquilla becomes a tourist destination.  For four days each February or March, the city fills up with travelers eager to experience what is known as “the best Carnaval outside of Brazil.”

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Mar 11, 2013 Paraguay PY
Wait, what?! By Rob Rout
Wait, what exactly is going on at Fundacion Paraguaya? Why are they not just making loans?  Have I found the "journalistic" Holy Grail and uncovered Something Scandalous? The Short Answer: (1) No, I haven’t uncovered anything scandalous and (2) they do more than make loans because, quite simply, it is helpful to the people whom they serve! Important Context: I am a wet-behind-the-ears Microfinance Guy who undoubtedly still sees things as being much simpler than they really are. #Kiva Now The Long Answer: As I climb the Development / Microfinance learning curve, I...
Mar 11, 2013 Zimbabwe ZW

Zimbabwe made world headlines over the course of 2008 and 2009 when hyperinflation gripped the country. What is often believed to simply exist in economic textbooks was occurring daily in the streets; the government was printing more and more Zimbabwe dollars, the currency would lose its value, more Zim dollars needed to be printed, new bills had 1, 2 or even 3 zeros added to the end, the currency would further lose value, more printing…

Zimbabwe dollars which are no longer legal...

Mar 11, 2013 Kenya KE

On March 4th, 2013 over 12.3 million Kenyans headed to the polls to elect their next parliamentarians, senators, governors and their fourth president since independence 50 years ago. In the weeks prior to the big day, Kenyans urged one another to become registered voters, consequently breaking all of its election records to date. Over 14.3 million people registered to vote, 86.1% of which turned out on election day. Many voters woke up before dawn, queuing as early as 1:00 am, and waited more than 10 hours to cast their ballots.

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