20 April 2007 - Madison, Wisconsin
As some of you know, Bill and I are proponents of KIVA, the rapidly growing organization that helps provide microfinance - as microloans - for third world and developing nation business-persons and entrepreneurs. The loans vary from around $300 to $1400 and every business is pre-screened by partner lenders in the host countries or region. We helped co-host a KIVA Talkathon last month (see blog) and joined just before that weekend, meaning we became "lenders" (which seems like a good idea and natural evolution for us).
In our attempt to "test the waters" and do a little something we backed two individuals using the minimum direct donation of $25.00 per borrower. We chose the people we sponsored - Asia Karova of Bulgaria and Dilorom Kasimova of Tajikistan who were sponsored by other "lenders" as well and will be reporting their progress as their businesses grow. We recently received an update of how Dilorom's loan is already starting to be paid back through her seeds and spices business. Here's the email text:
Dear Art Blanchet ,
The business you have loaned to, Retail trade of seeds and spicies ,
has made a repayment of $84.00. The total amount repaid up to now is
$84.00*. The payment was collected and deposited by Mukaddas Siyarova.
This repayment will be divided amongst all the lenders who helped to
fund this business, depending upon the percentage each lender contributed.
Note that you cannot actually withdraw or reloan these funds until
after the loan term is complete.
*Of this $84.00, $2.10 goes toward our loan of $25.00. When all paid back we can withdraw our loan (not likely) or sponsor another person (yes).
With KIVA.org, as a lender you also get a Lenders Page and can check out the borrower's other sponsors for fun. I haven't figured out how to network - like we do on ActiveRain - but THAT would be fun to learn.
SO, with Earth Day just around the corner (also my birthday, incidentally - ART is in the center of the eARTh:-) and Aprils's taxes behind us - take a look at KIVA.org and consider a sponsorship/loan.
We have a growing AR group that you can join and share reports. We could set up a paypal account for smaller donations ($1, $5,$7, etc), which we'd pool in $25.00 increments in a perpetual loan fund (please give me feedback on that) and have our AR KIVA group as a lender and/or you can go directly to KIVA.org and get your own page. It's fun, rewarding, and nearly effortless.
Consider forming a group in your community. A few weeks back I was approached by a free-lance writer who wanted to write an article about KIVA from a Madisonian's viewpoint. (We'll see where THAT goes.) It would be very nice to have your name in the press associated with such an organization. The KIVA support page has ideas and suggestions - there are also some in the AR KIVA group posts.
Our group again is at http://activerain.com/groups/KIVA. Stop buy, register, and give us a try and a little support. The KIVA cause is a good one and the results trackable. You'll help others of a kindred spirit and enjoy yourself in the process.
Thank you
Art Blanchet
Bill Quigley
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