Introductions

[Guest]

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[Thomas]

I can't remember how I found out about Kiva. I did a bunch of searching on the net to find out what the scam was. This had to be some kind of rip-off but all I found was really positive stuff. How wierd, turns out it might not be a scam. I already had a Paypal account from a little eBay action so I donated $25 and waited to see what the Kiva scammers did with it. Know what happened? My $25 was loaned exactly the way they said it would be...Amazing! Instead of another scam this turned out to be a very effective way for me to help someone help themselves.

I am not rich. Sometimes I'm even a little short when the bills are due. No nice car or fancy house. When times got really tough, nice people gave me a break and it really helped. Many people need a hand and not charity. That's why I like this program a whole lot. When I have extra cash, I loan it out through Kiva. I like lending to agriculture or any kind of food production/distribution because I have been hungry and NOBODY deserves that awful feeling.

What seemed like another internet scam turned into what may be the best, most dignified thing I have ever been involved in. I'm proud to be among Kiva supporters. You will see me around here as I'm in this for the long haul.

Peace and long life.

[Wood Fairy Glenda]

  Welcome, Thomas!  I had much the same reaction as your initial one.  I've become a total addict, and talk about Kiva incessantly.  So far I've gotten two loans repaid..... and immediately "reinvested" the money (the quotes are because I'm well aware that I'll never have any of this money again for my own use - CLICK and it will be somewhere else in the world).  Just one word of advise:  Don't make kiva.org your home page!

[door]

Hello Kiva Friends! My username is door. I believe that we can change the world for the better-one person at a time.

Don't worry if you can't share yet. You are on the right road. Many of you have great ideas that can make the world a better place. Write them down and refine them. This idea of Kiva has succeeded and is now hope for you and your ideas. See what can be done with compassion, thought and dedication.

Now not only can I help the world in my own way I can also communicate with like minded souls who want to do the same.

What a blessing. I wish you all well. Peace be with you, door 

[Henry]

Hullo everyone, my name is Henry. I found out about KIVA through the news the other night, I visited the site, considered the benefit and am now very interested in KIVA.  My partner and I are retired and live in Alabama we spend our time working on our house and enjoying life. Our interest are travel, boating, weekly dinner group, sadly-TV, and working with local groups and organizations that benefit our community.

One of my crafts is quilting, most recent quilt was silently auctioned last night to benefit a local organization that helps people living with HIV/Aids. When we left the event the high bid was $500u.s., I hope it auctioned for greater than $700. All of the quilts I create are either given away or donated to a charity. The feeling I get out of my 'craft' being auctioned for a good cause is wonderful.  I don't think I would feel near the amount of joy if they were sold.  I have found that same feeling here on KIVA.  Plus I feel in a way I actually get to meet the individual or family I might be helping. 

Of course i'm new here, I am very much looking forward to a long, long relationship with KIVA and it's friends.  As time goes buy and confidence builds we plan to sponsor more and more people.

Today I helped buy a few goats!  Henry

[Carol]

Hi, I am Carol from Gibsons - www.gibsonsbc.ca come visit us.  My friend Odette got me started.

[Kay]

Gibsons looks great!  Welcome to Kiva and Kiva Friends!

[miGIRLS]

I've been a lender for twelve days... have twelve loans! The geography, economics, and history lessons I am learning by researching the countries is amazing. First I was interested in mortality rates and GDP per capita. Yesterday I found myself looking up countries to compare the "carbon footprint" per capita. Good thing I have the geography bee winner in my house! Some of these countries had different names when I was in school. I need a new globe. Twelve loans in twelve days .... I might have to block this site until July.

[Odette]

miGIRLS, you sound like another candidate for Kivaddicts Anonymous 
There is no end to all the interesting places, conversations and websites such as this about Kiva.  Welcome.

[vilaura]

Hello, yet another addict here.  My spare time is spent checking out Kiva and seeing who I could loan to today! What a great idea, so simple yet simply amazing at what it does.

[MontgomeryRats]

I don't even know if I'm doing this right... I've never really posted to a forum before!

When I first started on Kiva yesterday, I found myself wishing there was some way to communicate with all the lenders I read about.  Glad to find this today!

I agree with all the good reasons others say they lend.  Another reason is that, sometimes we feel too much in debt and have a hard time justify "giving"; now we have a way to help by "lending"!

Nice to "meet" you all!

-Julie