Hello from the developing world

[Guest]

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[ryansumo]

Hi guys,

I wonder how many Kiva lenders are from the developing world as I am, and if nay of you were struck by the irony of the invite message saying something along the lines of "I just made a donation to someone in the developing world!".

Personally it doesn't bother me one bit, but the irony of it really is striking, and I'm fairly certain that a number of the people I invited to Kiva might be turned off by the choice of words.  Before anyone looks to educate me I want to be clear that I realize that the term "developing world" or "developing nation"   is the politically crrect term, and was coined to replace the not so politically correct "3rd world".  However the use of the term "developing nation" still feels like it excludes people from developing nations from lending, and that Kiva's a club for people in the developed world.  Mind you, I'm aware that it isn't and was never meant to be viewed that way, but I hope you all can see how it might seem that way.  At the very least it would be more culturally sensitive to use a different phrase or wording, like "I lent some money to folks who needed a hand" or something along those lines.  I would just feel much more comfortable inviting people that way.

Sincerely,
Ryan from the developing world

[wind5001]

Ryan,

welcome to Kivafriends and thank you so much for your contribution. I was baffled at first, but I absolutely see your point! There are quite some lenders now from nations we consider "developing". The phrasing does sound a bit awkward to them...Let's see whether can be something done on that.

Please keep posting and enriching this forum! Every voice is welcome, and you, from your background might be able to contribute different perspectives on some of these issues. Where exactly are you from?

Oli

[Tatiana]

Thank you very much for your input Ryansumo.

and please keep posting!


(Oli: click on his profile and you can see Ryansumo is from the Philiphins )

[cpbailey]

A friend suggested that as long as the condition or attribute was not considered positive, changing the term associated with this condition would eventually mean the new term took on the emotionally negative feelings that the older one had.  For example, disabled, handicapped, physically challenged or handicapable describes a condition's evolution.

Perhaps Avis's motto is something to keep in mind--"We're number two.  We try harder" is more inspiring to apply to up and coming countries.  Or perhaps a reminder that all great civilizations have eventually collapsed will keep us all a bit humble.

Colette

[ryansumo]

Hi guys, thanks for all the positive comments.  Yeah hopefully we can ask the kiva people to reword their invitation message somewhat just so it's a little more culturally sensitive, and I'm sure much more people will be enticed to join that way.

[hendra]

Hi Ryan,

Welcome to Kiva Friends. I am from Indonesia. I know Kiva from watching the Oprah Show, and never got that "I just made a donation to someone in the developing world!" email. But I sure see your point now. I did send some invitations to my friends here (not paying much attention on the wordings on the invitation), and maybe yes some of them struck by the wordings (that is why maybe I only get 1 invitee  ).

Where are you from Ryan?

Cheers,
hendra

[Fiona Ramsey]

Hi guys!  This is something we've thought before, but the question always comes down to "how do you communicate QUICKLY what Kiva is about."  If we just say "loan to a low income entrepreneur", lots of people don't really know what that means in a really personal way - WHO is that??  If we don't say developing world, people might think it's just a new lending program in the US.

Without getting into all the past discussions about it here - why don't YOU give us your invite suggestions?  How would you invite someone to check out Kiva, if you were so inclined to do so.  Let us know what you think!!

(Maybe we should say "someone IN the developing world"?) 

[Canadian Here]

Fiona:

How about "we loan to entrepreneurs in third and fourth world countries"?

Lorna

[ryansumo]

Hendra: Aku dari Philippines!  Tapi aku hidup di Jakarta untuk tiga tahun, jadi bisa bicara bahasa Idonesia sedikit, hehe.  Thanks for the comment.

Fiona: Point taken.  I'll definitely try to come up with some suggestions myself, but I'm hoping others will have ideas as well.

Canadian: There were fourth world countries?  I had no idea.  But regardless I think developing world is already a step up from third world, so going back there may not be the best idea.

[Canadian Here]

Ok, I respect your opinion.
Lorna