Tajikistan and Kiva Friends Love- TLC Needed

[Guest]

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[Odette]

Tajikistan is a very poor country; they have a life expectancy of 64.94 years and 64% of the population live below poverty level!

For some odd reason I find it a fascinating place and Tajikistan is now 15.5% of my portfolio.  There has never been a problem being re-paid, either. 

I agree, with Colette that it does pass seem to pass under the radar as does Azerbaijan when it comes to lending compared to countries in Africa or South America.  Maybe because we are not familiar with the country or.......??

Maybe with a little promotion on KivaFriends these countries can be funded a wee bit quicker.

[charity]

I loaned today to a 3 month loan to a woman selling grains and legumes in Tajikistan http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=39778  (still $50 left to be funded as of right now)! 

I agree, with Colette that it does pass seem to pass under the radar as does Azerbaijan when it comes to lending compared to countries in Africa or South America.  Maybe because we are not familiar with the country or.......??

Prior to joining Kiva I don't think I had ever heard of Tajikistan or Azerbaijan, let alone knew where they were or the hardships faced by so many people there.  I now have 5 loans to Tajikistan, or ~9% of my portfolio. 

[mejane]

I used to work with someone from Romania who emigrated with her husband when Romania was still under communist rule.  (More like fled the country because the husband could not get the medical help he needed to survive.)  The first time my friend and her husband went to an American grocery they took pictures of the aisles because they could not believe a place where there was so much food and so many choices.

When communism ceased the economy struggled.  The folks in these countries had new found freedom but not a way to support themselves independently.  My friend says they still struggle for their existence.  I like lending to Tajikistan as the money disburses quickly and repays promptly.  Also, as mentioned previously, their winter this year has been extreme.  The need here is as great as there is in Africa and southern Asia, it just manifests itself in a different way.

Jane

[KivanSteven]

Tajikistan is a very poor country; they have a life expectancy of 64.94 years and 64% of the population live below poverty level!

For some odd reason I find it a fascinating place and Tajikistan is now 15.5% of my portfolio.  There has never been a problem being re-paid, either. 

I agree, with Colette that it does pass seem to pass under the radar as does Azerbaijan when it comes to lending compared to countries in Africa or South America.  Maybe because we are not familiar with the country or.......??

Maybe with a little promotion on KivaFriends these countries can be funded a wee bit quicker.

I think another reason these can be overlooked is, as I recall mentioned months ago and which I agree with, is that there is little diversity in the loan types and offerings.  When it comes to Azerbaijan and Tajikistan we dont normally find those compelling loans we are looking for, or that new endeavor we have yet to discover an entrepreneur undertaking in this region...eventually we start browsing over the tajikistan and azerbaijan dairy, cow, and farming loans because they are so typical and less likely to offer anything new and interesting compared to other regions. 

Thats not a put down by any means, because Tajikistan is my second most lent to country, and I actively seek Azerbaijani loans simply due to their relative seclusion and its unfamiliarity to most people...all Im saying is that Kiva lenders get in the habit of overlooking them in their quest to find something more unique and moving.

[redstarr]

I think some of the loans I've seen from that region are a bit higher dollar total loans with longer pay back times,too.  I guess the dollar doesn't go as far in that part of the world as it does in places like Africa and Cambodia and such. That probably contributes to the region being a bit less popular,too.

[Canadian Here]

I think some of the loans I've seen from that region are a bit higher dollar total loans with longer pay back times,too.  I guess the dollar doesn't go as far in that part of the world as it does in places like Africa and Cambodia and such. That probably contributes to the region being a bit less popular,too.

Red:

I lent to two Taj businesses (STILL ON THE BOARD). 12 month term, about $1,000.00 (can't remember exactly, but in that range). 5 STAR MFI, great payback. Having REAL TROUBLE getting funded.

One is a woman selling BEAUTIFUL fabrics. Listed under 'retail', I think. NOW, FULLY FUNDED!

Other is a male (part of the prob) with a fairly new Mercedes Benz in photo (2nd issue). Not a driver/taxi. He works in property management/construction but looking for a loan to buy a bull (the third issue!). Loan is NOT well written because the writer in providing a lot of detail, most of which is unrelated to purpose of the loan. WORSE YET, the unnecessary info comes up front, in the description. Confusing. (Another issue.) This loan has been there for days. Five Star MFI. Only 13% funded. This loan has a SERIOUS presentation problem.

There is nothing wrong with either of these businesses/country/borrowers/terms/MFI. I lent to both of them. So, if you're looking for a great TAJ loan...look no further! Loan to THIS one!

Lorna

*****EDIT: BOTH of THESE LOANS ARE NOW FULY FUNDED. THANKS TO THOSE WHO HELPED!

[cpbailey]

Tajikistan and Azerbaijan have 9 out of 10 of the oldest loans.  Here is one that is different!  It is a furniture store, and only for 7 months. 

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=40890&_tpos=6&_tpg=1

Colette

[Canadian Here]

Tajikistan and Azerbaijan have 9 out of 10 of the oldest loans.  Here is one that is different!  It is a furniture store, and only for 7 months. 

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=40890&_tpos=6&_tpg=1

Colette

Colette: happy to report one of the loans (fabric seller) is now fully funded!

Lorna

[Dagfinn]

Thank you for the reminder - unfortunately I could only make two more loans as my quota for this month is now full

I started up here with getting 18 loans from Azerbajan (systematically lenidng to those having waited the longest for funding) and have not lent since and have only 8 (now) in Tajikistan.  I tried look out for Ukraine and since Bulgaria while hoping to see Romania.

What embarasses me having read myself up on kivafriends yesterday is that it probably are plenty more loans from these countries waiting turn to be posted (I understood there is a limit of 300 loans up at any given time).

I will have to rethink how I spent the money I can route this way . . .

Dagfinn A.   

[cpbailey]

Dagfinn,

Azerbaijan has some similarities to Tajikistan. 

1.  Both countries tend to take longer to fill
2.  Both countries have lots of men with cows
3.  Both are former Soviet Union countries making adjustments

The main thrust behind Tajikistan for me was that it had endured a terribly hard winter.  We had helped in Kenya after the riots, but we had done too many fundraisers to expect more from KF.  Making quick loans to Tajikistan was another way to help people recover from the heating bills (and any other related cold snap expenses such as medical) over the winter. 

Thank you for being so active in Azerbaijan in particular.  If each of us makes a little effort to remember this region, it will make a difference.

Colette