I first heard of Kiva a couple of years ago. But at the time, when I went to sign up, they didn't need any lenders (they were pretty small at the time). I hadn't really thought about them for a while until Rose gave me a Kiva gift certificate this year. So I made my first loan!
I'm lending to the Zakia bibi Hakim Shah Group. They are a group of women in Pakistan who have come together, each with an individual enterprise, to support each other's entrepreneurial efforts and to, in effect, guarantee each others loans. I thought that was pretty cool - community is good, right?!
In addition to being inspired by these women (and humbled - these women only need $875 to make a go of four businesses), I am also inspired by the power of community. Below is a picture of everyone who has invested in this group. All different kinds of people from all over the world. So awesome!
If you're not familiar with Kiva or you need some convincing to become a lender, check out the video below. Amazing stuff!
Start Video:
A Fistful Of Dollars: The Story of a Kiva.org Loan from Kieran Ball on Vimeo.
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