Kiva on Spinner.com!

[Guest]

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[shochman]

So thanks to all of you who had so many great suggestions about linking a love for "world" music and a desire to support Kiva! With your help I wrote an installment of my AOL Spinner.com column "Around the World all about it, and it went on line this morning.... You can read it here:

http://www.spinner.com/2007/07/17/wanna-be-a-global-music-mogul-try-kiva/

I hope it brings more people to Kiva and spurs some action.

again, thanks!

Steve

[Kay]

Wow--very nice!

[Wood Fairy Glenda]

Hi, Steve -  Checked out your article and it's GREAT.  One problem, though:  Your statement "Kiva works with on-the-ground organizations throughout Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America in particular, with neither Kiva not its partners taking any cut, and the loans being provided interest free." is not accurate.  Kiva doesn't take a cut, but the partners do.  Kiva wants to support local microlenders that give decent terms to lenders.  Also, the loans are by no means "interest free."  The local microlenders just charge far less interest than the loan-shark moneylenders that are the alternative.  Generally the poor people who take loans that Kiva helps finance would never be able to qualify for a bank loan in their countries.
     Check out the "About" section of Kiva, which explains how they work.  If you just make this one sentence more accurate, the article is really wonderful. ..... and, I'm glad you chose the photo of one of my borrowers.  I was struck by the photo and snapped it up.

[AccountAbility]

Great artcle Steve.    I too saw the no-interest comment.  Actually nobody takes a "cut" of the loan made through Kiva, in that the borrower gets the whole loan.  So you are right on with that.  But the borrower does pay back more than he/she was loaned, in the form of interest and fees.

[Henry]

Excellent Article Steve.... I of course overlooked any errors except for MY NAME WASN'T MENTIONED!!!!!!!!!!!
LOL
oh, that and the ballet bust.  part of the $250k 'what's up with that' question.

Your article Might have brought new members...  only 30 loans at present.
Thanks for mentioning KIVAFriends...now I have to dress up!

[shochman]

Thanks for the feedback... I can make minor changes to the piece if need be for clarification.

[RichardF]

Cool, Steve! 

I added this to the Kivapedia - Kiva Timeline.  Now we have another story we can watch how it affects Kiva traffic and Kiva Friends traffic (e.g., Forum History).   

[Ed Chandler]

Steve,

Kudo's on a well written, well focused and direct approach to getting your readers involved with the KIVA way of life. Your personal efforts to expand our loaner base is highly appreciated and definately noted! I'm not KIVA, but I'm especially grateful to you for your efforts and the musically orientated people that will hopefully benefit from your article, in the form of new funding!

[QueenOfHearts]

Great job Steve....this article should pique some interest among music lovers...and your comments that helpig in the "community" will also aid the local musicians is a great point.
Queen

[Odette]

Good article, Steve, and love your enthusiasm!