KIVA: investing in people, not just giving money way
06:31, 3 November 2008
.. Posted in Personal.. Link
I am a KIVA lender. What does that really mean? Via the KIVA web site you browse entrepreneurs' profiles on the site -- people who are living and working in a developing country, from Peru to Togo, from Tanzania to Tajikistan. It could be one woman trying to start a small food stand. It could be a group of women wanting to start a cooperative ranch to raise goats. You choose someone, or a group, to lend to, and then you make a loan to that person via the site. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates and track repayments. Then, when you get your loan money back into your KIVA account, you can re-lend to someone else.
What I like about KIVA is that the local entrepreneurs partner with very established, credible local and international NGOs, so you know that local projects are very well vetted.
What do my KIVA loans say about me? I'm obviously very focused on helping women entrepreneurs. I never know what's going to strike me about someone's business proposal. But I am always excited when the loans have been paid back and its time to choose new projects to lend to. It's a great experience!
