Kiva Fellows Program (KF9) Here I Come!
by sheethalFrom October 2009 through April 2010, I will be volunteering as a Kiva Fellow in Latin America. I will be working directly with one of Kiva’s partner microfinance institutions (MFIs), interviewing entrepreneurs and creating profiles on the Kiva website so that generous lenders like you can learn about their situation and lend them the capital they need to start or expand their microenterprises. Women in developing countries make up the majority of microfinance loan recipients. The work of Kiva, Kiva's partner MFIs and Kiva Fellows improves the standard of living for the business owners, their families and their communities.
I haven’t received my placements yet, but it will be in 2 of the following 5 countries -
- Nicaragua
- Ecuador
- Guatemala
- Peru
- Bolivia
What is Kiva?
Kiva's mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty. Kiva is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website,
empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs around
the globe.
What is a Kiva Fellow?
The Kiva Fellow is an unpaid, volunteer based position designed to
increase Kiva’s impact around the world. The Kiva Fellow works
directly with one of Kiva’s partner microfinance institutions (MFIs).
The Kiva Fellow is an integral part of the Kiva Team, acting as Kiva’s
eyes and ears in the field and helping to extend limited resources to
maximum effect. Without the Kiva Fellow, there would be no profiles on
the Kiva website for lenders to learn about the entrepreneur’s family
and business, no journal updates about their work and a weak connection
between lenders and borrowers. The Kiva Fellow fosters the connection
between the MFI, Kiva and the lender with their fieldwork and
communication.
Kiva Fellow Core Responsibilities:
- Facilitate Connections between Kiva’s Borrowers and Lenders
- Assist Communications and Maximize the host MFI’s Partnership with Kiva
- Support Kiva’s Mission, Product and Procedures
You can read more about the Kiva Fellows program here: About the Kiva Fellows Program
Support for my Kiva Fellowship
Kiva is a volunteer work experience, and I am also on my own for
my travel and living expenses. Here is my projected budget for my Kiva
Fellowship, using Guatemala as a research model (since I am unsure
where my placements will be yet).
my travel and living expenses. Here is my projected budget for my Kiva
Fellowship, using Guatemala as a research model (since I am unsure
where my placements will be yet).
Costs Before Departure:
- Flight (hoping to use frequent flyer miles!) $55
- Immunization $225
- Single-Entry Visa $10
- Training Costs $90
- Personal Items $100
Daily Living Costs:
- Accommodation (Utilities included) $2,880
- Food $360
- Communication (Internet and Phone) $474
- Travel $1,800
- Emergency Funds $1,000
TOTAL $6,994
I am donating 6 months of work to Kiva’s partner MFIs to help low
income entrepreneurs work their way out of poverty. Any amount you
could donate will help support Kiva’s mission through my travel, living
expenses and communication access, all of which are crucial to Kiva’s
work and in getting much needed growth capital to hard-working
entrepreneurs around the world!
income entrepreneurs work their way out of poverty. Any amount you
could donate will help support Kiva’s mission through my travel, living
expenses and communication access, all of which are crucial to Kiva’s
work and in getting much needed growth capital to hard-working
entrepreneurs around the world!
Below is a link to my Chip In page if you would like to donate online:
Chip In for my Kiva Fellowship
If you feel more comfortable, you can also send a check. Please see my blog for where to send.
Unfortunately, your donation is non tax-deductible since I am not
a non-profit organization. But to say thank you for your generous
donation, I will send you personal e-postcards from the field. I will also update the Kiva
Fellows and my personal blog regularly so you can see what I’ve been up
to.
a non-profit organization. But to say thank you for your generous
donation, I will send you personal e-postcards from the field. I will also update the Kiva
Fellows and my personal blog regularly so you can see what I’ve been up
to.
I am very excited for the opportunity to make a significant impact
on the lives of many low income Latin American entrepreneurs and their
families.
on the lives of many low income Latin American entrepreneurs and their
families.
Lending through Kiva
Not only I am participating as a Kiva Fellow, I am also a Kiva lender. Please visit my Kiva lender page
to see the entrepreneurs to whom I am currently lending. If you
believe in Kiva’s work, perhaps you would like to become a lender too!
You can search through the borrower profiles, make a loan through
PayPal (min $25) and set up a Lender Page. Once your loan is repaid,
you have the option to withdraw the money or relend to another
entrepreneur. It’s simple, it feels good and it helps low income
entrepreneurs help themselves!
to see the entrepreneurs to whom I am currently lending. If you
believe in Kiva’s work, perhaps you would like to become a lender too!
You can search through the borrower profiles, make a loan through
PayPal (min $25) and set up a Lender Page. Once your loan is repaid,
you have the option to withdraw the money or relend to another
entrepreneur. It’s simple, it feels good and it helps low income
entrepreneurs help themselves!
Thanks for listening and thanks for your generous donation!
Best,
Sheethal
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