School lending to promote global understanding, microfinance & young kiva fans

[Guest]

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[kbrown]

I'm a Kiva newbie and love your work. Here's a quick suggestion:

Reach out to teachers in the US to suggest that a school raise money to lend to an entrepreneur as a way to engage children in the life of an individual elsewhere.

* Teachers or a trusted student group could collect money at the beginning of the year, students could select an entrepreneur with an estimated repayment period shorter than the school year, and the students would receive their money back by the end of the school year.
          o This does create another middleman between the individual lenders (students) and the entrepreneur; however, the project could be managed by students that are elected by their classmates to handle the money and create transparent processes for collection, documentation, and reimbursement.
          o If the entrepreneur defaults, this could prompt discussions on difficulties of starting/expanding a businesses in the US as well as in the entrepreneur's country

* In addition to the journals received for documenting the entrepreneurs progress, the lending could be accompanied by discussions on microfinance, life in the entrepreneur's country, guest speaker from the country (or perhaps someone who has been to the country), articles in the school newspaper on the entrepreneur's progress, etc

* Benefits would include:
          o enhanced outreach for Kiva to a younger audience who may continue to lend after the class activity is over (or purchase Kiva gift certificates for friends and family)
          o increased understanding of and interest in the concept of microfinance resulting in new youth seeing this as a potential industry to pursue a career
          o exposing youth to a new area of the world, thus fostering an interest in international travel and studying abroad, as well as potential future effects of an increased interest in and sense of responsibility for US's impact (politically, socially, and  as consumers) in other regions of the world

[RichardF]

Hi kbrown, great suggestions! 

Here are some school "group lenders" on their way.  Some of them have posted other topics here too.  Check out Can you help Kiva grow in the public school system?

[Henry]

kbrown, I know I would have learned more about the world if KIVA had existed in my school.  I'm learning many new things here at my age.  There is a tremendous education oppurtunity here for kids.   I was thinking just the other day if it were possible for KIVA to create the following:

work to design an educational program

offer it to a specific grade/group

program would be free, students wouldn't need to raise money for something new

allow up to 4 (fundings) that would show as (EDUCATIONAL - then the group/grade/class name)
these 4 per loan if all were used would never be actual 'funding money' and it could be made clear it was part of an educational program KIVA is connected with, and they would 'group' at the bottom of the loan page in seperate section.

why? 

well, to educate our youth on the items you mentioned and more
PUBLICITY!  Imagine if this were implemented into 100's of school systems, children going home, mommy I WANT ONE!!!
and just another world enhancing program KIVA offers which we all would apprecate seeing

[wind5001]

I agree that schools are among the best places to get new people involved in Kiva. Especially if you get to the kids early on. They ARE interested in different people and cultures, they FEEL for underprivileged people, they SEE things more emotionally than many of the adults do. So getting them interested in this planet and its fate, does not only good to Kiva and the entrepreneurs, it also creates open minds and hearts, which is so important these days.

Henry, I don't think they have to offer Educational loans. I believe that the kids can easily raise 25 bucks for a loan. And I believe they should, because it will show them that it is not just a game. That they have a responsibility, too. It will enhance their interest and make them stay connected. I like the idea that they get their money back at the end. It is an important educational step. They will see that they lose NOTHING but got a lot in return. Also, I strongly agree that all of this should be supported by information on microlending, the country they support etc. I find kbrown's ideas excellent!

[QueenOfHearts]

I also agree that this is an exellent idea....and I can see where Henry is coming from....scary thought that that may be....start them with "free" educational loans in the hope that they will WANT to start loaning on their own....

[wind5001]

Q, I am absolutely SURE that they will start bothering their parents and grandparents...YOU...to help them make a loan, too! 

[Henry]

I know what your saying Olli about getting them 'vested' into the loan.  But I think the oppurtunity to have their group stamps, on a loan would work just as well.  (our public school system in my city - some have, many many don't)

Also, free program gives KIVA the right to promote it in every tiny school in the country.

Regardless how it's implemented, we all agree it would be a wonderful educational expierience.

[wind5001]

Maybe you're right, Henry, and I should have taken into account the kids less fortunate than we. But 1 $ each just sounds like so little...unfortunately it isn't, even in our societies...

As you said, we all agree on the huge benefits their involvement could/would bring.

Oli

[Jill]

 Kbrown -- I just read this post of yours and another you wrote, about gathering and monitoring
changes in "Quality of Life" statistics for our Entrepreneurs.
http://www.kivafriends.org/index.php/topic,681.msg4485.html#msg4485
 Great ideas.  Happy to have you here.

   -- Everybody Else who woke up and posted here before I did --
        I love any and all ideas for how to get schools/KIDS involved.
 
       My guess would be that just about every single one of us
who found our way to Kiva and to Kiva Friends
started out as one of those beautiful kid idealists who believed that

          Anything is possible

      One of the reasons I most like Kiva is because
it allows us to return to that time in our lives and revitalize that belief.

     (Whoa--aa:  Just looked out the window and saw that
                  there's a big ol' raccoon scarfing up
                    the sunflower seed at the birdfeeder).

      Good morning 

(Sorry about the double posting...).

[cpbailey]

Kids can do amazing things when inspired.  I think a creative teacher or principal could actually do something.  There are penny collections that have raised thousands in a school; kids bring in spare pennies--you know the things that many no longer bother picking up from the ground.  Most kids can find a penny and feel like they are contributing.  Another idea is to have recycling of cans.  In California, each can is worth a nickle.  I have $.45 at my desk right now.  (No, no, no!  I am not an addict.)  A school flea market--donate used toys, books and clothing to sell for the benefit of Kiva loans could bring in hundreds of dollars.  (A mom's group of about twenty moms of year olds raised about $400 selling baby stuff)  Uniforms for schools would be HOT sellers.  A geography bee--like a walk-a-thon or a read-a-thon could be used to raise funds.  Gather sponsors and then have a geography meet (a test but let's use a nicer word).  Each correct country indentified would mean more sponsor money.  And hey, the kids would learn to earn.  Each grade could have a basic test.  See's Candies has an awesome fundraiser, and at Christmas and Valentines Day...hey, it could be easy to raise money, even in a poor area.  Heck, I love the idea of a Parents' Night Out.  Have teachers and parent volunteers sponsor a Parents' Night Out on a Friday night.  Parents pay say $10 or $12 a kid to drop off the kids from 5:30-9:30pm.  There could be games, activities and pizza dinner.  Parents get a date night.  Another easy fundraiser is restaurant night--many restaurants offer 10-20% of sales for an evening.  McDonalds to Mexican restaurants to pizza joints.  Different price points. 

Sometimes in poorer areas, the kids feel impowered by doing something for others.  Also, some schools with lots of English as a second language students would identify with a region and might be inspired to put forth extra effort to help that region.

Each week that there were funds, a committee could decide on a loan(s) to sponsor.  Upper grades could do some research and write a public announcement for the morning announcements.

I say get schools involved, but don't water down the experience by pretending. 

Colette