Fund micro-loans through Kiva.org

Well, the good news is that I received notification that my second Kiva loan was disbursed to Rosa in Nicaragua GO ROSA GO!!

Unfortunately, I also received notification of desperation and tragedy regarding my first Kiva loan, to Jane in Kenya

On Monday Kiva forwarded a letter from the Ebony Foundation, a Kiva partner in Kenya. Here are a few depressing excerpts:

“The country is now battered almost to a pulp and blood spilt with vengeance, senseless killings and wanton destruction. Markets, food stores and shops have been looted. Hospitals are dysfunctional and health centers incapacitated by riots and barricades.

While peace is slowly returning to all affected parts of the Country, the impact of the riots has been devastating. Hundreds of people have been killed turning thousands of innocent children into helpless orphans and over one million people have been displaced, becoming internal refugees over night.

The impact of the riots is most felt in the micro and small business sector. Over 1 million small businesses were looted and or burnt down destroying the only source of income to millions of Kenyans. Most of the fighting and destruction occurred in slum areas in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru and Kericho in Rift Valley. These regions are home to over 70% of Ebony Foundation’s clients and as you can imagine almost all of our clients in these regions have been affected by the riots.”

I cannot even imagine the conditions these people face. In the absence of being able to do anything useful to help, I thought at least I could invite all of you to pray for humanity with me, pray that we figure it out soon and forever. Amen.

Rosa Vallecillo lives in Chinandega, Nicaragua. She is a married woman, the mother of one school-aged son. She is hardworking and has dreams of success in both her personal life and her business. She started her business selling footwear five years ago, offering a variety of products, with a start-up capital of $900.00.

Rosa has worked with CEPRODEL for one year and is very happy with the support they have given her. Thanks to this support she has been able to expand her business, meet her clientèle’s needs and support her family. She has a history of four loans.

I was lucky enough to loan Rosa the last few dollars she needed, which somehow felt even more rewarding than my last loan!

Ms. Jane Wamwere in Nairobi, Kenya

Jane Wamwere is 28 years old and a single mother of two boys ages 6 and 9. Both children are in school in classes one and three respectively. Jane was brought up in a productive agricultural region; she therefore developed a keen interest in selling farm produce. After finishing her studies, she started selling produce with the little capital base she got from her savings and donations from family members.

Jane has been in the produce business for the last eight years, and that is how she has been eking her living. She has been experiencing growth and rise in demand for the produce that she sells despite the rise in prices of agricultural products due to varying climatic conditions. Due to demand she is now specializing in selling green peppers and watermelons. Jane has good business relations and good customer care skills. She is requesting a loan of US$1100: US$500 to increase her stock, US$300 to put a structure where she will be operating, US$200 to buy transportation facilities, and US$100 to renew her license. Jane is an active businesswoman and she is wholly committed to repaying the loan.

Okay, so my 20 minutes yesterday was to register with Kiva. I would have loved to make my first loan, or at least to have beefed up my account so I’d be ready to make a loan, but unfortunately I have to wait until next payday because I’m already in overdraft. Doh! Still, adopting this goal and getting registered is a modest start. I’m that much closer to changing the world $25 and 20 minutes at a time.