How do you pick your loan?

[Guest]

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[Eli]

OK, heres a new contest - who is the oldest Borrower?

This one might appeal to those who are predisposed to the octogenarians - it's quite a remarkable write-up, too


http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=58562&_tpos=13&_tpg=1

Have any of y'all seen someone older?

I found Maura Cecilia Ramirez Palomino of Peru who is 84 years of age (with 15 children!) and is on her second loan!
http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=40646

Her 5 month loan pays off on September 10th, so keep an eye out after that for a possible third loan to Maura!

[abc]

This old, repaid loan, sure made my eyes well up:

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=9746&_tpos=2&_tpg=1



Check out the link for a journal entry and an updated photo of this lady who was 85 at the time.

[Karen26]

Wow!  Thank you for finding this!  Isn't this what Kiva is all about!

[JoanW]

I am trying to figure out the correct term for one type of loan that I prefer.

Examples -

• Farmer figures out that fertilizer helps his farm be more productive - so he not only gets fertilizer for his farm, he starts selling it to his neighbors and teaching them how it can improve production
• Needlework craftsperson decides that supplies are too expensive and hard to get what she wanted - so she changes and buys a van to make a mobile store to take the raw materials out in the country.
• Fabric dyer gets tired of paying high prices for fabric, so saves up and makes a buying trip herself.  Now she is purchasing large quantities of raw fabric for a discount then selling to her neighbors....better quality and cheaper as well.

For me it is recognizing there is a clear need in the local community and then stepping up to fill it. To my way of thinking, my little $25 will not only help the individual, and their immediate family - but because s/he is helping the community, I am also helping the larger community as well.

Opportunistic is what seems to fit - but too often folks think that is a negative thing.  Any other ideas of what to call it?

When people ask what type of loan I prefer, I want a short 1-2 word answer - I don't want to go through a long explanation. 

[Canadian Here]

Joan: "Community building"? That seems to fit with your description.

Lorna

[skbasket]

Joan, I know exactly what you mean, and have no suggestions. If you do come up with something though, and if you form a team, let me know.  I would love to join!

[JoanW]

Thanks Lorna - I like the community building...but it was missing something. I did some more work with a thesaurus and came up with Enterprising. That includes the community building, but from a more commercial perspective.

Since at least one other person liked this idea (coughSandycough) i went ahead and made a team. If these are the types of loans that attract you, please feel free to join http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=community&action=viewTeam&team_id=60 

If you need an invite PM me with your Kiva email and I'll get an invite out to you.

[Canadian Here]

Thanks Joan, but I can't take the credit for it...it's a social work phrase, describing to helping build communities by putting the services in place for the individuals and families who live in them. BTW, THEY are the ones to decide WHAT it is that THEY need, not the social worker!)

Glad you got a name for your group & thanks for your offer. I am already in a couple of groups but yes, I'm attracted to those kinds of loans, also...I'll think about it, if I may.

Lorna

[Jan & John]

Sometimes I choose a loan from plain old pity - this girl had her first child at 12 ? and now has 3 children and no husband ? The young girls in Tanzania have lives too horrible to contemplate.  I'm bookmarking loans today and this one goes to the top of my list.
jan

Name: Fatma's Tusongembele Group Location:  Zanzibar, Tanzania Primary Activity:  Charcoal Sales Loan Use:  To buy more firewood and charcoal to increase her stock. Fatma is 27 years old. Her husband has passed away, leaving her with 3 children, aged 11, 14, and 15. Fatma entered the charcoal and cake industry in 2006. She begins work everyday at 6 AM and ends at 6 PM, and earns around $20 a month in profits from her business. In the past, Fatma has successfully completed one loan from BRAC Tanzania. She used the money to expand her business, and she would like to continue to do so. She will also share her loan with her subgroup members, who have businesses in food, charcoal, and firewood sales.

[skbasket]

Jan,  I hope you will consider the "KivaFriends - Single Parent Loans" for this one.  I might have to loan to it to!