OK, I just made my first 4 loans of $25 each using the auction proceeds. Two of them went to AlSol in Chiapas, Mexico, the other two to la Fundación Paraguaya.
In all of Latin America, at least in those countries where Kiva is active, these two regions currently are among the saddest. I think there is poverty everywhere, but Paraguay is really struggling to get ahead after the long, long, brutal dictatorship of Stroessner. All the word I get from here, is that the people are struggling to jump from the 1950s straight into 2007. There is a sadness in the face of the people that is hard to describe. Plus... at least now I can say that I am investing in the Latin American Lingerie Trade
Here are the Paraguayan loans:
http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=14313http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=14312Having done some of the translations for AlSol, Chiapas is the place where I have seen some of the most needy people. Don't get fooled by the loan amounts; these are split between 2 or sometimes 3 people that form part of the same group. Handcrafting shirts, skirts, and shoes (and selling them to the local indigenous population) appears to be a major activity. Also, AlSol is one of the MFIs that charges the lowest interest rates in Mexico, currently 36% on average. As argued in
my blog, I believe that increased competition will allow the interest rates in Mexico to go down to a more consumer-friendly level. By supporting AlSol, I'm putting my money where my mouth is. Here are the businesses:
http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=14061http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=14286To be continued...
--Ramón
