Kiva.org microfinancing developing countries - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**raoulduke** · 06-25-2008, 08:54 PM

Has anyone here used this site?

From the site:

Quote:

1) Lenders like you browse profiles of entrepreneurs in need, and choose someone to lend to. When they lend, using PayPal or their credit cards, Kiva collects the funds and then passes them along to one of our microfinance partners worldwide.
2) Kiva's microfinance partners distribute the loan funds to the selected entrepreneur. Often, our partners also provide training and other assistance to maximize the entrepreneur's chances of success.
3) Over time, the entrepreneur repays their loan. Repayment and other updates are posted on Kiva and emailed to lenders who wish to receive them.
4) When lenders get their money back, they can re-lend to someone else in need, donate their funds to Kiva (to cover operational expenses), or withdraw their funds.

It sounds like a great concept to me. Check it out here

**travelpunk** · 06-25-2008, 09:03 PM

I have not used it, but saw it when they launched it. It's a great idea.

Thanks to Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, micro financing was born and has helped millions get out of poverty.

http://www.grameen-info.org/

**mooloo** · 06-25-2008, 10:31 PM

I never knew there was such a thing, well never really thought about it actually.

This is an awesome idea, I will definately look into it! What a way to help others

Thanks for sharing

**mermaidnz** · 06-29-2008, 04:45 PM

never heard of the site, but just the other day i was talking about micro business things, cambodia is screwed right now, petrol is $1.40 a liter no idea how many liters in a gallon, but its extreamly expensive, esp when most people live on less then $3usd a day. a teacher gets paid $30-$50 usd a month and is expected to work 6 days a week!

i will definatly get a profile up n this site, it sounds like the best idea ever, it helps people help themselves. i like that

**mbo108** · 06-30-2008, 06:46 AM

Yeah I've used it before, its really sweet.

**Esterina** · 06-30-2008, 07:16 AM

Thanks for sharing ! I just added my profile and lended some money for the first time for an entrepreneur in Uganda.

I'm doing a degree in International Development, so I know about micro-finance. I just wasn't aware anybody could take part in this.

In my mind, Muhammad Yunus is a genius, or a hero.

**Esterina** · 08-26-2008, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbo108

Yeah I've used it before, its really sweet.

What projects have you helped financing ? Were you fully reimbursed ?

**Esterina** · 09-03-2008, 07:29 AM

This message was on the site's front page this morning:

Quote:

Thanks Kiva Lenders! You've funded EVERY loan on the site!!

To date, Kiva has enabled lenders to send $41,988,235 to the working poor around the world.
Currently, we are experiencing a traffic spike and all previously fundraising loans have been fully funded. Our team is working with Kiva's Field Partners around the globe to approve new loan applications every day.

My idealist heart goes

**mermaidnz** · 09-03-2008, 10:29 AM

WOW!

thats is awesomly amazing!! :D

**Diorama** · 09-03-2008, 03:38 PM

Wow all the loans have been funded! Thats awesome. I donated a few weeks ago. This is the best website ever. And I highly recommend everyone check it out!

**raoulduke** · 09-03-2008, 05:13 PM

That's incredible.

**The Monsignor** · 01-24-2009, 07:47 AM

The irony is they're victims of their own success - visiting this morning, they still have no microlending opportunities available!

**joe7f** · 01-24-2009, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mermaidnz

cambodia is screwed right now, petrol is $1.40 a liter no idea how many liters in a gallon, but its extreamly expensive, esp when most people live on less then $3usd a day. a teacher gets paid $30-$50 usd a month and is expected to work 6 days a week!

i will definatly get a profile up n this site, it sounds like the best idea ever, it helps people help themselves. i like that

There are 3.78 liters per gallon so roughly $5.50 a gallon. To put it in perspective a math teacher in the US makes around 3,000 a month so it would be like gas costs 550 dollars a gallon.

I agree, great idea!

--Joey

Kassandra13 · 02-11-2009, 11:42 AM

I just made my first loans on Kiva. I'm so excited about it!

**Esterina** · 02-11-2009, 06:34 PM

Great !

My first loan is half way reimbursed now.

**travelpunk** · 02-11-2009, 11:35 PM

I am going to try this out too. Still figuring things out there.

Also, I have created a TEAM on Kiva for all TPunks to work together and make a difference in this world

.

Please join the TPunk Kiva team!

**mooloo** · 02-12-2009, 10:04 PM

Joined the team and also finally did a loan since last time it would let me for some reason

**Esterina** · 02-13-2009, 05:59 PM

Joined in also, and made my third loan. :D

**travelpunk** · 02-13-2009, 06:33 PM

Awesome! Thanks for joining gals!

I know how hard it is to raise money to realize your dreams, so I will make a small loan or two this weekend

.

Kassandra13 · 02-23-2009, 01:18 AM

I joined the group too, and make a loan under it.