simba - I may have misread, but the discussion seemed to be going in the direction that the relatively low number of kiva loans per lender is primarily based upon those lenders holding back in order to reserve judgment on the relative efficacy and reliability of the process.
I was just popping in to say that, while that is very likely the case with some, a great many others are simply doing what they can.
Personally (since we're not getting any interest return), I'm taking the stance that a loan defaulted upon was money donated to an earnest try; a loan returned may be recycled back into the process. For instance, I've been keeping an eye out for loans in Iraq and Afghanistan - and I can honestly say that I don't really care if that money comes back to us (as it is at a fairly substantial risk of not doing). If our small bit of a loan can do its part to help bring stability to those areas, that's enough for me.
peter - Hi and thanks
And then there's the power of sheer numbers that the Kiva platform facilitates. 100,000 people each lending $25 or $50 or $100 makes a big difference..
Exactly!
I mean, if you look at our net income, our little family's just marginally middle class; but, if after essentials and savings, we can find $25 a month to inject into the wonderful Kiva process, we have the potential to be of real help in giving someone a "hand up".
When our modest effort's combine with those of students, teachers, investors, and other assorted practical dreamers, we can make a substantial difference.
That's cool
