Oprah's Big Donation

[Guest]

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[tirza]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the welcome! It is very nice to be here!

I am pretty sure the interest will keep growing. After writing the first message, I have found out that a Brazilian newsletter have also mentioned Kiva, probably as a result of yesterday´s Oprah broadcast here.

I will take a look at the calendar pics.

[Ulli]

remove the one loan per day limit. 

Hi Colette,
is there really a one loan per day limit? I see the "only $25" button, but I have never heard about the one loan per day limit. On the other hand, I have not tried to make more than one loan per day lately, so I really could not tell.

Ulli

[KivanSteven]

Yes Ulli, I tried to loan before Oprah and the Today Show did what it did for Kiva, and even then I was limited to a single loan per day.  I mean they are holding back everyone from descending upon them all at once with every measure they can implement it seems, short of one loan per person....now that would be awful...if it comes to that then they really need to find a way to make more loans available....Theyre doing a phenomenal job, but this is about making as big an impact on the lives of people in the developing world as possible, and I certainly hope growth is in their near future plans.  You cant be on Oprah and just keep everything the same, no way.

[Eli]

Today was Oprah's favorite things show.  I have trouble with the 'favorite things' show because she turns otherwise happy audience members into greedy screaming consumers.  But this year, after her hosting Bill Clinton, Matt & Jessica Flannery, I was hoping that maybe she would do some 'giving' in a different way and include Kiva gift certicates for everyone.   She is a very generous and globally aware person, so had my fingers crossed.  I'm sad to report, it didn't happen. 

The only 'giving' she did was to give Hallmark red wrapping paper.  If you buy anything red from Hallmark this year, they donate a percent of the sale to the AIDS cause in South Africa.  Otherwise everyone got $4,000 refrigerators, $400 lounge wear, $50 cupcakes, $800 digital camcorders, $70 Scrabble game, $900 book of DVD's, $200 face scrubber, etc.:  www.oprahs-favorite-things.com.

Yeah, Oprah does a world of good, don't get me wrong, I just was hoping Kiva would get a boost.

[Odette]

I can no longer bear to watch Oprah's Favourite Things show.  I find it quite disgusting actually and am appalled by it's vulgar materialistic emphasis and hysterical screaming audience. 

Yes, Oprah has done some marvelous things for people in the past, too numerous to list here.  But, how amazing it would have been had she given out books, i.e. Three Cups of Tea, Banker to the Poor and  Gift Certificates from Kiva, etc. etc.  With her influence, Oprah could have really changed the prevalent and popular idea of "giving." 

Oprah does call to attention people who have made a difference.  I would like to see more of this and much less time given to self-promoting celebrities. 

[Steff]

"I can no longer bear to watch Oprah's Favourite Things show.  I find it quite disgusting actually and am appalled by it's vulgar materialistic emphasis and hysterical screaming audience. 
Yes, Oprah has done some marvelous things for people in the past, too numerous to list here.  But, how amazing it would have been had she given out books, i.e. Three Cups of Tea, Banker to the Poor and  Gift Certificates from Kiva, etc. etc.  With her influence, Oprah could have really changed the prevalent and popular idea of "giving. 
Oprah does call to attention people who have made a difference.  I would like to see more of this and much less time given to self-promoting celebrities." 

I agree 100% Odette.  I realize that Oprah does alot of good with her millions but that does not balance out the appalling greed that she inspires with her "give away" shows.  And if I want to keep track of celebrity lives, which I don't, I will watch "E".
Steff

[Beowulf1965]

I can understand your thoughts on Oprah and her favorite things show and wishing perhaps she gave out Kiva gift certificates. Here's a point to ponder though. Do you think if what Oprah talked about during her show was mainly helping a worthy cause out she would have the following she has now?

She (Oprah) has done some very good things for a lot of people worldwide, but she knows when to push and when to give her audience what they want. I guess what this post was about was how much she was giving personaly, I think it would of been great for her to give out gift certificates not sure if she did or didn't. But I'd think the stronger impact would be the people that find Kiva and become involved in it more so then Oprah herself.

That's just my thoughts on the subject yours may differ but remember even a broken clock is right 2 times a day. 

[Canadian Here]

Hi Everyone!
I don't watch Oprah...maybe it's because I'm a Canadian and she's not as BIG here as she is in the USA but I would be amazed if she actually writes KIVA a cheque. My 'take' on the situation is that she likely feels that by giving KIVA a 'plug' she's already done enough.
Maybe I'm wrong, and I sincerely hope I am, but so many organizations would be thrilled just to get a favorable mention from the Queen of the Talk Shows. Keeping that in mind, I believe that she likely thinks that she has done enough!
Also, Oprah has her own 'pet' charities, including the school she established for young women in Africa, which, as we all know, has a few problems to sort out. Oprah, like most of us, does the things that are really important to her FIRST and others when she gets to them.
Maybe that cheque will come (I hope it does) but I'm not holding my breath.
Sorry  I can't be more positive but sending KIVA a cheque won't increase her ratings anymore than the 'honorable mention' KIVA received has already done.