And you thought cockfighting was bad ...

[Guest]

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[Sherri]

I'm curious... because there's no such thing as a 'Nintendo Playstation'. Either he's buying a Nintendo Wii, or a SONY Playstation. *laughs* Something was lost in translation there! 

Lol... either way, I agree that video games are a good way to keep kids off the street- and it's a very innovative business idea. Too bad I couldn't get in on this one!

[Canadian Here]

I'm curious... because there's no such thing as a 'Nintendo Playstation'. Either he's buying a Nintendo Wii, or a SONY Playstation. *laughs* Something was lost in translation there! 

Lol... either way, I agree that video games are a good way to keep kids off the street- and it's a very innovative business idea. Too bad I couldn't get in on this one!

Sherri:
Not familiar with either but kids seem to like ALL of them! Sorry you missed the loan 
Lorna

[Fiona Ramsey]

You know, Kiva teaches me new things every day.  Sometimes I learn about the different types of businesses that support families in the developing world, and sometimes I learn about people who want to support those businesses (when I might have thought they wouldn't have been funded!)

It just teaches you that you can think you know, but then have your preconceived ideas blown out of the water! 

I just learned something about the people on this thread - thanks for sharing :-)

Fiona

[Canadian Here]

You know, Kiva teaches me new things every day.  Sometimes I learn about the different types of businesses that support families in the developing world, and sometimes I learn about people who want to support those businesses (when I might have thought they wouldn't have been funded!)

It just teaches you that you can think you know, but then have your preconceived ideas blown out of the water! 

I just learned something about the people on this thread - thanks for sharing :-)

Fiona

You're very welcome, Fiona!
Now, turn about is fair play...what can we learn about/from you? 
Lorna

[Fiona Ramsey]

I probably wouldn't have loaned to the video game loans, but that's because I don't like video games personally.  So, I'm just like you, I apply my own personal experiences to the loan choice, rather than just thinking about what business type is the most "good".  What a subjective word.  It's interesting about what we learn about ourselves through this process.  I was most curious to learn that mothers with sons supported the video game business, and it makes so much sense!!  (I don't have any kids, or I might have been in favor too :-)

[Canadian Here]

I probably wouldn't have loaned to the video game loans, but that's because I don't like video games personally.  So, I'm just like you, I apply my own personal experiences to the loan choice, rather than just thinking about what business type is the most "good".  What a subjective word.  It's interesting about what we learn about ourselves through this process.  I was most curious to learn that mothers with sons supported the video game business, and it makes so much sense!!  (I don't have any kids, or I might have been in favor too :-)

Fiona:
I lent on it but don't have any kids, either.
I thought that it was a great idea for a home-based business: Dad can watch his three kids while earning money at the same time. I
know that kids eally enjoy video games as some of my friends have children who went through the video game phase, which actually
lasted quite a long time. The games became more challenging as they grew older. Some of my friends tried to limit the amount of time
their kids spent gaming but I recall that the kids got pretty creative. 
As I am pretty new to KIVA (January, 2008) I didn't know about the previous, similar loans. I thought this was a very innovative idea, and
I still hold that view...innovative, although not unique.
I am continually amazed at the ways people in the third and fourth world create opportunities for themselves from so very little.
I have leaned so much from lending to these micro-businesses involving reading the boards and journals over the past few months. It has
been an education in itself for me. I feel very privileged to have been able to join with others in helping afew families get what they need,
in financial terms, while furthering their sense of self-esteem, physical and psychological security, and personal autonomy within the mico
and macro communities in which they live.
Thank you for sharing a bit about yourself, Finona 
Lorna

[cpbailey]

It seems perfect to have the gaming system in someone else's house.  Then parents don't have to police it!  Videos are absolutely addictive for some kids, especially boys.  There is a joke about a family taking a road trip, and the kids don't even notice the scenery as they are constantly playing video games!  ("come on kids, time to see the Grand Canyon!"..."Just a minute mom, let me make the galaxy safe for mankind!  Only three levels to go...")

Colette

[Ramón]

I've seen this type of business actually in Perú. And interestingly enough, I have been to Bluefields in Nicaragua (which is English speaking and on the Atlantic Coast, as compared to "the rest" of Nicaragua which is Spanish speaking and more Pacific-oriented)/

In a way, I'd say a business like this is less addicting to the kids that it would if the kids own a game console themselves. Pocket-money is scarce in developing countries, and the buying power of kids is not anywhere close to what it is here. That said, they'll quickly run out of money to pay for the gaming session, and will go on doing other things.

I'd have less qualms investing in this than in some lady that runs a cigarette factory from her house, which I've seen as well 

--Ramón

[cpbailey]

Ramon,

I agree that money (or lack of it) keeps the video stuff manageable...

Also, cigarettes are something I don't feel comfortable supporting.  I also prefer not to support alcohol or soda as these have other potentially negative societal issues associated with.  I feel torn if a cantina is primarily a social function or sells food.  So I don't have rigid rules against these, but I do take the whole picture into account.  Animals that are considered pets I have an issue with, but I had a pet chicken as a kid.  I am fine loans for poultry sales, unless the picture is graphic!  Group loans make me throw some caution to the wind.

Another issue I have is when someone is buying writeable discs for movies or music.  I wonder if it is violating copyright laws.  Sometimes there are characters from Disney that are used in crafts (birthday decorations with Eeyore, Mickey Mouse and such), and I won't fund these as I am pretty certain Disney hasn't given authorization to use their characters.  I love the creativity, but I don't like undermining copyright law.

Colette

[redstarr]

I think it's a pretty neat idea.  I'm amazed by the innovative business ideas that some borrowers I've seen on here have.  Like the other day I someone who was borrowing to buy a cell phone that she rents to other people like a pay phone.  Brilliant.  There's ideas for turning a profit I never would have come up with.  True ingenuity.  I'd like to see entreprenuers like that succeed. 

As for the arcade, I've got two video game systems at home, and I went to the arcade all the time as a little girl.  Centipede and Asteroids were a blast   I'd be a hypocrite to say that the little kids over there don't deserve the opportunity to have that fun,too.  And it's safe and healthy, better than some stuff that teens could be up to instead.