Kiva Extra Credit

I think Kiva is a really good organization. Even though 25 dollars may seem like a lot compared to other projects, this seems like one you can really rely on, and you know you are definitely helping people. You can even get the money back once they pay the loan back to you, but you also have the chance to turn that money over to someone else. Since Kiva was founded in 2005 , there are 1,345,887 lenders, $770,880,850 in loans, and a 98.46% repayment rate. They work with 302 field partners, 450 volunteers around the world, and 83 different countries. They say they "envision a world where all people-even in the most remote areas of the globe-hold the power to create opportunity for themselves and others." Kiva does not take any money from your donations, they all 100% go to the people. They get all their funds either from lenders or grants, corporate sponsors, and foundations.

I found two borrowers and the first one is named Ederlina. She's from the Bien Unido, Philippines and she seems really responsible and in need of the money. She's married to a fisherman and they have 4 children. For the past 24 years she has been helping him with his fishing business in order to earn a living. Her husband usually fishes during the night, so she prepares what he needs during the day.She wants the money from a loan so she can buy a new fishing net and boat engine, which will assure her that the boat will not encounter delays. A part of the loan will also be used for her to be able to pay her children's tuition fees. She says her main wish is that her children, ages 17 and 19, can finish their college education. The Philippines has an annual income of $7,000, and there are 1766 loans from Kiva to the Philippines right now. The country is not one of much wealth, and in some places there is a lot of crime and poverty. The economy isn't the best, so her needing money to support her family is reasonable.

The second borrower I found that seemed interesting to me was named Aya. She is from Al Hashmi, Jordan and is 24 years old. She's very talented in the visual arts category and had wanted to open up an individual workshop to do her work. She's been involved in a large number of art exhibitions inside and outside Jordan, and she has received many awards for her artwork. She also draws in her home, but it's not suitable enough for her to work in, which is why she opened a workshop of her own. Now that it's in the process of being opened, she wants to buy every item she can for it, and she is very excited about the whole project and being able to improve and develop her talent in art, which is actually what motivated her to apply for the loan. She has a lot of positive energy and wants to put it to good use, and says she will be very thankful if she gets the loan and is able to achieve her dreams. I relate to her myself, because I want to be able to do my art and be able to make people happy with it and put positive energy through my work, which is what she wants to do. Jordan is located in the Middle East Levant region, and regional instability has caused the country to be excluded from global investments for decades now. They also have a lack of natural resources, including water and energy which place a huge strain on the economy. The National Microfinance Bank offers many of the small businesses an opportunity to enhance and expand, and many loans to many underprivileged people like Aya so they can pursue their goals and dreams.