Tajikistan and Kiva Friends Love- TLC Needed

[Guest]

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[cpbailey]

Jill,

I have advocated supporting Tajikistan because it is sort of a hidden need.  We all know there is need in Southeast Asia and Africa.  But Tajikistan and Azerbaijan have some special considerations, and many people don't even know anything about them!  I have a degree in marketing, and Africa and Asia will sell themselves.  Tajikistan and Azerbaijan need a bit more of a voice.  Tajikistan had the harsh winter, and KivaFriends supported other areas of need prior--the school and Kenya's Ebony after the war.  It seemed too much to ask for yet another fundraiser to make a difference, so it seemed that supporting loans which people will do anyway might be a good avenue.  It would just move some of the loans toward Tajikistan to fund quicker.  Many folks don't go on KF, so they would continue to support the "popular" countries and regions.  I also believe that the transition from Soviet Union toward a free market system has been especially difficult for these countries.  I would like there to be no regrets about this change...

There are many, many loans available in Tajikistan.  Perhaps tomorrow I will get some Kiva credit and Tajikistan is on my short list.  I have a bunch of loans coming due within a month, and one will be in Tajikistan.  Perhaps some of you can join me...

Colette

[Dolphine]

I too am finding myself trying to fund loans in Tajikistan. In addition to all the reasons Colette mentioned, I found a partner in Tajikistan whose interest rate is only 10%. 

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&partner_id=47&status=fundRaising&sortBy=New+to+Old

[redstarr]

Quizzoid:  potatoes?  Then you'll want to know about Latif Bobiev's still-funding loan to purchase higher-quality potato seeds!

Potatoes have seeds?  I tell ya, I learn something new on kiva everyday.

[Jill]

Hey, Colette, thanks for getting back to me on this....

I’ve come to believe that any time anybody advocates on behalf of helping someone else, it’s a kind, special, and unselfish thing and is something to respect and value in them.  So, thank you for doing that for the Entrepreneurs from Tajikistan.   It’s to put my money where my words saying, "thanks" are that I finally did, just now, click on “Lend” for the market lady I posted about, earlier.  You’re a good salesperson --  smile.  It’s also why, even when I get those infernal soliciting phone calls in the middle of dinner or at the best and most suspenseful part in a movie, I’ve learned to suppress the irritation I feel upon being disturbed at home and always try to make a point of wishing them well.  **

Turns out that my internal experience in learning from the Florence and ANK fundraisings what it feels like to be on the please-please-please end of things will have the extra side benefit, I think, of hopefully, compelling me to exercise more patience and compassion for those individuals bell-ringing for a cause when I encounter them in the future.


**If truth be told, I’ve also learned to do the same thing, often, when someone calls trying to sell something rather than to ask for donations to some cause or another.  It occurred to me, quite late in life I’m embarrassed to admit, that most of the people who call are just struggling to make what is probably a pretty paltry living.  I realized, quite belatedly, that I don’t need to add to the desperation some of them may already be feeling by responding with my petty aggravation.  The temptation, otherwise, is often pretty great!

[NevadaStars]

If anyone is interested, this 4-month Tajikistan loan just became available:

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=39776&_tpos=6&_tpg=1

[cpbailey]

Margie,

SOLD.  Good job guys!

Colette

[Peter S]

while everyone's feeling the love for Tajikistan, and even feeling mellow towards people who are trying to sell them something...

here's an unashamed plug for two women whose loans have been moving very slowly since I joined in on them

Khakima Toshbabaeva ("...she trades by the perfumery and the women wear")

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=40456

Kurbonjon Eshkulova ("...she is engaged in the commercial service and trade of sweets. She has a good assortment")

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=40463

Both are MLF-Microinvest, which usually disburses as soon as the loan is funded.

end of plug 

p.s. I would have joined Margie's Ugil Sodikova, but she's already funded 

[NevadaStars]

Margie,

SOLD.  Good job guys!

Colette

Someone funded the other $150 before you guys had a chance    Oh well, there's plenty more to choose from!

[Eli]

Potatoes have seeds?  I tell ya, I learn something new on kiva everyday.

For all the years I volunteered on an organic biodynamic farm, we planted potatoes using the eyes, and never by seeds.  We ordered the 'seed potatoes' in the winter, and then cut the potatoes to have two eyes per potato segment, then planted that segment of dried potato with the eyes facing up come the spring.  Seeds are available, but it was my understanding that using the eye was the more common way of planting.

There is a really neat name for the process of preparing the eyes of the potato for planting . . . just can't recall the name.

[Canadian Here]

Jill,

I have advocated supporting Tajikistan because it is sort of a hidden need.  We all know there is need in Southeast Asia and Africa.  But Tajikistan and Azerbaijan have some special considerations, and many people don't even know anything about them!  I have a degree in marketing, and Africa and Asia will sell themselves.  Tajikistan and Azerbaijan need a bit more of a voice.  Tajikistan had the harsh winter, and KivaFriends supported other areas of need prior--the school and Kenya's Ebony after the war.  It seemed too much to ask for yet another fundraiser to make a difference, so it seemed that supporting loans which people will do anyway might be a good avenue.  It would just move some of the loans toward Tajikistan to fund quicker.  Many folks don't go on KF, so they would continue to support the "popular" countries and regions.  I also believe that the transition from Soviet Union toward a free market system has been especially difficult for these countries.  I would like there to be no regrets about this change...

There are many, many loans available in Tajikistan.  Perhaps tomorrow I will get some Kiva credit and Tajikistan is on my short list.  I have a bunch of loans coming due within a month, and one will be in Tajikistan.  Perhaps some of you can join me...

Colette

Colette:
I made two new loans to Tajikistan in the last 24 hours. That country now comprises 11.8% of my portfolio. I will lend more, as I can. Some interesting and varied businesses there and great FIVE star MKI`s.
Lorna