Kiva's Lessons

[Guest]

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[Unilove]

In addition, there is a lot about Kiva that makes it a good hobby. I mean, how many people spend hours perusing the Red Cross web site?  But the people and places we see on Kiva are fascinating. I've learned a a lot and have gone on to read more about microfinancing.

Dottie B

Agreed!  When I first came here, it was an amazing discovery of a wealth of information and such passionate discussions!  Every time I came here, I learned something new.  And, topics here inspired me to read more online to get better informed.

Come to think of it, this is the only forum in a long time I have been so involved with.  Lastly, I also think that there is a maturity level here that often, on other forums, dissolves into trolling, cursing, and text-speak (how r u? c u l8r).

[AccountAbility]

Over the years I have participated in any number of "user groups" mostly in conjunction with commercial software programs.  The relationship was almost independent, although they usually were considered an asset to the company so they supported and even coordinated events for the users group. 

But other times the user group acted more like a union in terms of asserting the collective wishes of the users--sometimes in an almost adversarial way.  But in the final analysis, these were users who were electing to stay.  If they felt bad enough about the software they just jumped ship and then they weren't users any more.

Kiva Friends is in many respects like that (although a Kiva Friend does not actually have to "use" Kiva).  Sometimes user's are very supportive of features, improvements, customer support etc.   Other times user's wishes get strident or even demanding, but always within the context of still affirming its use.

It is inevitable that some users (er, Kiva Friends) will jump ship and just plain leave.  But there is pretty solid staying power in the community as they wrestle in most cases over what is in the best long term interests of the borrowers.

Dan