Kiva Fellow Quotes for a 2011 Calendar

[Guest]

.

[dh]

This comment was left by I. Moreau on one of Thomas Gold's Kiva Fellow blog entries

kiva donne de l’espoir, et là je ne parle pas des gens qui empruntent mais bien de moi qui prête.

Kiva gives hope, and here I'm not talking about the borrowers, but about me, a lender.

http://fellowsblog.kiva.org/2009/10/29/les-bijoux-en-toc-au-service-du-developpement-economique/

[Edit to add link.]

[waywardcats]

I'm not sure about the permissions for this one, but I thought I would record it here in case it can be used:

The ECC (Community Credit Enterprise) gives me something to work for, I can advance and excel on my own, whereas without it I feel stuck inside the house

Kiva borrower Betina Ugalde Suárez

Taken from 1:56 into video posted on the blog by KF Alana Solimeo, KF9, Costa Rica
Women and Microfinance in Light of Machismo in Costa Rica

-Kerry-

[waywardcats]

Microfinance can give a person options, something that wouldn’t have been possible without access to a loan.  I believe that you can draw a direct line between options and dignity– the ability to not only assess your priorities, but to have the tools to do something about it.

A Pragmatist’s Guide to Microfinance Mohammed Al-Shawaf, KF9 Palestine

[Jan & John]

You as a lender are making a difference, but when you hit that lend now button, your not acting alone to help this borrower out, you’re joining a team.

Signing off from the Philippines - By Adam Preston, KF9, Philippines

[waywardcats]

When Teresa told me how thankful she is for what she has, it suddenly dawned on me that her new house, business, loan and hopes of sending her children to university made her one of the lucky ones. It doesn’t bear thinking about how many other desplazados don’t have these opportunities. As I put my motorcycle helmet on and we headed off, I couldn’t control the tears I’d been choking back since almost the beginning of our interview. I remember feeling overwhelmingly thankful that Teresa is able to get the help she deserves so much with FMSD and, now, Kiva.

Echoes of Violence Rob Packer, KF10 Colombia

[waywardcats]

Often when you commits to something, you comprise yourself in some form or another: time, money, etc.  Often, when you hope, you have to wait for what’s to come.  With Kiva, you can commit to providing hope for Kiva entrepreneurs, without compromising or waiting.

Giving Hope and Commitment by Jeremy Lapedis, KF9, Guatemala

At the end of one borrower interview, after hesitantly asking the question about hopes and dreams, I was told, “I once had a lot of hopes and dreams, none of which I have been able to realize.”  By beginning to administer Kiva loans to those in obvious need in Chillanes, I am hoping we can at least start to provide a small piece of the support they need in order to help them help themselves.

A Community in Search of Progress by Josh Wilcox, KF10 Ecuador

[Jan & John]

To give a microfinance borrower a loan is to declare a vote of confidence in the equality of all mankind and a beautiful way to close the cognitive and emotional distance imposed on individuals separated only by geographic space between the developed and developing world, not by intelligence, competence or ability.

Two eyes, two arms. Just like you. by Adam Kogeman, KF10, Cambodia

[Mona]

But what you won’t see in its balance sheet or even in its Kiva partner page is the single greatest reason for FATEN’s success: it sees the life behind the loan.

Mohammed Al-Shawaf
Kiva Fellow

in: Kiva Field Update - News from Palestine, 12 Feb 2010

[waywardcats]

Attending this routine meeting opened my eyes to how personal and dramatic microfinance can be, but also how the model promotes strong community bonds. Entrepreneurs had taken loans to support their own small businesses, bu they became united in the process, looking out for the financial stability of all members.

Not Your Average Courtroom Drama by  Sara Strawczynski, KF10 Rwanda (Urwego Opportunity Bank of Rwanda)