Environmental Loan Group

[Guest]

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[RichardF]

The team made it on this loan! 

Name: Eric Habarugira Location: Kacyiru/gasabo/Kigali, Rwanda Primary Activity: Shoe Sales Loan Requested: $875.00 Repayment Term: 8 months Loan Use: Expand his used shoe business

Greetings from Eric Habarugira in Kanombe sector, Kicukiro district, Kigali, capital of Rwanda! Eric is 25 years old.

This entrepreneur started his business 5 years ago. He sells used shoes and he has a lot of customers in town and up country. Eric is requesting a loan worth 500,000 Rwf, which will help him to expand his business. This loan will be repaid in 8 months on a monthly basis.

Eric believes that once he gets this loan, his profit will increase.

[Alaska Pack]

We enjoyed all the extra information, the link to Indra from Indonesia was fascinating and inspirational that sustainable practices are possible in the third world. Thank you Jan and John!  We also like on the information that Richard F provides on many a discussion!  We have been in contact with Melanie before her posting on Kivafriends and also to Christine from the Give Green group.  We are thrilled that there are advocates to the earth as we have tried to avoid some loans based on pesticide and cigarette use.     Bernice and Jim

[Environmental Care]

Hi Jan! That is a fantastic example of organic farming! I would be happy if Kiva provided information as to whether the 'fertilizers' are chemical or animal and plant based. That would make a huge difference in the way I loan. I have been looking for over a year for solar projects to fund, but I've never found one. If only the MFI's knew we lenders would be so keen for solar projects, maybe we would see more applications for solar. Thanks for joining the team, and great work with providing the link to Rai's story. He's a true farmer.
- Melanie

Hello Melanie  and welcome to KF.

I joined your team.  I already have one loan for a solar panel and have always been on the look-out for more. 

I'm not so sure it is that easy, or even possible, for me sitting in my comfortable home to decide on environmental issues in the agriculture areas in the developing world.  Some of the requests are for fertilizers to help with 'infertile' fields.  My only wish to this point has been to help people to help themselves survive and it wouldn't be my place to judge anyone but myself.

Here on KF I have learned so much.  Only last November, there was a 'blog from the field' that showed me that even in the poor countries, there are people trying to do things in a sustainable way...
Rai's Way was one such learning event for me so I thought perhaps I would pass on the link if you have not read it.  All the Kiva Fellows blogs are learning exercises for me but this one has stayed in my brain.  Hope you enjoy it.

jan

[RichardF]

Peter Senge on Sustainability

[RichardF]

Generally Accepted Environmental Principles (GAEP) For Microfinance Institutions

Adopted by GreenMicrofinance

• The environment is a sacred trust. The earth and all its life are interconnected and sacred.
• Addressing the human spirit is essential. Environmental and human integrity are inextricably linked. Improving inner human quality results in improving the environment.
• All microenterprises impact the environment. Do no harm. Eliminate or mitigate negative impacts. Seek positive impacts.
• Protecting the environment is an opportunity. Environmental protection makes good economic sense.
• Creating financially cost-effective solutions is vital.
• Each person is responsible. Responsibility means personal ownership and action.
• Agencies should work with local, national and international governmental agencies to promote sound environmental practices and policies. Agencies should help people understand why the environment is important to their lives. Donors and agencies should model good environmental behavior.
• Benefits and costs are both short and long term. True costs include environmental and health costs. Agencies should identify, account for and mitigate environmental costs. Environmental benefits created should be recognized. Costs of creating environmental benefits should not be borne solely by MFIs or clients.
• Creating partnerships is crucial. Partnership with stakeholders is the key to appropriate environmental protection in development.
• Participation in project planning and decisions is for everyone. Participation must be inclusive, equal and fair.

Developed by the Participants at the Microenterprise and Environment Conference, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania 2004

[RichardF]

GreenMicrofinance - About Us

Betsy Teutsch (a Kiva Friend)
Focus: Special Projects, Investor Education, Voluntary Carbon Markets
Betsy Teutsch, Director for Special Projects, has been a prolific Judaica artist, entrepreneur, and community builder for over 30 years. ...
She works with Kiva.org...
Kiva In Philadelphia

• Contributers
  Betsy Teutsch, Director of Special Projects at Green Microfinance
• A Personal SideBar from our Microfinance Conference
  

  GMF’s vision is that when an MFI has worked with us and is ready to offer green energy projects, Kiva will be one gateway for that MFI’s clients.  If all goes according to plan, you’ll be able to go to the Kiva site and loan people or villages money for solar panels, bio-digesters, or expanding their jatropha orchards! ...

• Amy Smith is Awesome!

[RichardF]

Le Jatropha!

 



The Jatropha System creates a positive reciprocity between raw material / energy production and environment / food production; i.e. the more energy Jatropha hedges produce, the more food crops are protected from animals and erosion. Also additional income is created, mainly for women.

[RichardF]

The Miniature Earth

Based on the State of the Village Report by Donella Meadows

and If the World Were a Village of 100 People

[Mona]

Not sure if this is also in the lending scheme of this team  , but these people are suffering from damage caused to the environment:

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=83318&_tpos=3&_tpg=1


The group of borrowers consists of four people. Its leader, Mrs. Im Sara, 44, makes a living selling various grocery products, such as cooking ingredients, plastic products, and sweets. She started the business six years ago, and currently earns approximately US$3 per day. Her husband is a motorcycle taxi driver. Mrs. Im Sara has five children, one of whom is married, while the other four are still single and live with their parents. One of the daughters assists Mrs. Im Sara at selling groceries. Currently, the family is suffering from pollution surrounding their house, which is harmful for their health. Therefore, Mrs. Im Sara is requesting loan to purchase another piece of land. The other three borrowers include Srey Pheas, 36, who is a housewife and also needs a loan to buy a piece of land; Chhea Mom, 31, who sells groceries and needs money to purchase an additional stock of groceries; and Som Kunthea, 26, who is widowed and earns a living selling groceries and needs a loan to expand her business. All of the borrowers live in Slor Kram Commune, Siem Reap Province.

10 months loan from HKN, Cambodia (5*), 475 $ left to fund

[RichardF]

Thanks, Mona.       It looks good to me! 

And it's already funded!!!   

Keep 'em comin'!