Hello everyone,
with the consultation of chris, Colette and I have discussed the quotes and decided on the following.
Let me say a few words as introduction. The choices were great, so it was hard to pick the final 13 quotes. We tried to select a broad range of ideas and writing styles. Regretfully, this might mean some really good quotes couldn't make the final list. If one you favored didn't make it in the calendar this year, there is always next year!!
We had to edit several of the quotes. Some, because they were too long (i.e. more than 65 words). Others, we edited for stylistic/message reasons. The editing was done by leaving words out. Nowhere was anything added. I hope the quoted are alright with these changes.
Quotes from Bill Clinton will be missing in the calendar. Several reasons were brought to our attention and we discussed all of them, weighing both sides. Ultimately we corresponded with chris, who will be the one selling the calendars and decided not to include a quote by him. I am sad that politics entered into the calendar this way, but it was unavoidable.
Okay, here are the 13 quotes that made it to the calendar. They are listed in random order. The assignment of quotes to the pictures will be left to Christopher or chris or whoever does the layout.
#1: “My hope is that by lending, a borrower will see that a diverse group of people from all over the world have faith that they are not only capable of repaying the loan but are worthy of having a loan.”
Odette, Kiva lender #2: "While others in my family collect "things", I collect stories of hope and desire, and the willingness to work to make dreams into reality."
Diane, Kiva lender #3: “Direct and straightforward lending to individuals in developing countries is here... You don't have to be a Bill Gates to drastically change people's lives anymore.”
NPR Here on Earth – Radio without borders #4: “Recipients already know how to fish; they just need a loan so they can buy a net.”
Fiona Ramsey, Public Relations Director Kiva #5: “Providing loans instead of gifts is important for two reasons: it provides the entrepreneur with the motivation to invest every penny where it counts most, and it provides us, the lenders, with a way to keep on re-giving our money.”
Ramón, Kiva lender #6: “I'm a Kiva lender because I believe it's the best, most personal way for me to make a positive difference for people and communities in faraway places. For me, there's nothing like the thrill of knowing that I'm personally making a difference for the people who are smiling back at me from so many of Kiva's wonderful borrower photos.”
Fred, Kiva lender #7: “I feel compelled to assist these visionary people who still dream of a better life where their kids are educated or their business is sustainable or they no longer have a dirt floor. I feel compelled, not to give them a donation, but to give them an opportunity.”
Michael, Kiva lender#8: “The poor themselves can create a poverty-free world...all we have to do is to free them from the chains that we have put around them.”
Muhammad Yunus, founder Grameen Bank and Nobel Peace Prize laureate #9 “I am by no means a rich person […], but I have more than I need, and there are many thousands of people all over the world who have far less than they need. I just want to equalize things a little before I die. It's as simple as that.”
Glenda, Kiva lender #10 “The money will do something better for somebody else, than it will sitting in my bank account, or spent in an hour on a meal for two. It's an investment, where the rate of return is measured in happiness, not in percentage of money earned. The rate of return for inner-happiness cannot be calculated by a spreadsheet. It can only be experienced.”
HValenzuela, Kiva lender #11 “It's more than a loan, it's more than a charity donation. It's a contribution that can help improve someone's life by taking a more involved approach. Not only does it help people escape […] extreme poverty, but also it promotes a cultural exchange, racial unity, respect for and equality of women, and is a fulfilling experience for every partner in the business.”
Steve, Kiva lender #12 “Getting to know a person from another country or another culture breaks barriers and destroys stereotypes...This is what living in a global village means: people care for each other. This is what will help us overcome the problems we are facing globally.“
Ulli, Kiva lender #13 “Why KIVA? Simple -- helping others feels great!”
Henry, Kiva lender Now come and spank us for the selection!
Oli
