Great "Charity" Website. (You get your money back.)

[The Peepmaster]

I casually saw a mention of this website on a tweet that flashed up while I was working on something else.

I clicked the link, and was so impressed at what I saw, I posted a tweet about it myself, which also appeared on facebook.

Although I haven't been able to do anything about it myself yet, I know that just my passing on the message has brought positive results (at least 4 "donations" that I know of).

Only, they're not donations - you get your investment back (although it has to be said the site can't guarantee it). No, you don't make interest, or make a profit - but you do get the satisfaction that you've helped support someone less fortunate.

The concept and site is at http://bit.ly/2QoIm

[Diane CBPFC]

Kiva has gone nuts in the last few days with more people wanting to lend money (in the US they get a 2009 tax deduction) than loans available! It is truly amazing what this grass roots program is doing. One loan every 11 seconds (most loans take 10 - 40 lenders to fund).

While we have been waiting for governments and leaders to make the world a better place with our tax dollars, the power has been in our own hands all along. This is helping the poor to middle class which has a trickle down effect for the community - it is different than a charity which there is no end to the need as charity is often helping those who can not help themselves, these loans pull people out of the hole so there are less and less poor in the world and poor people are the kind of people who help others when they get a little money.

It is very encouraging. 

[Diane CBPFC]

I had my first loan paid back in full today. 

[The Peepmaster]

Fantastic. I truly think this is one of my best discoveries on the net. I also had a repayment today - yes, just a small sum, and it will take a while to come back, but it's monitored.

We make a loan to Filipino entrepeneurs with each holiday booked. I know it's not the same as giving, but it's a great device for getting that money to the recipients. We aren't guaranteed to be repaid, but the percentage is high. To me it's a positive thing we're doing in our currently limited way which will (unashamedly) reflect well on us, in the same way as we look to encourage eco-tours etc.

I'm not a philanthropist, and can't see that I ever will be, but Kiva is a scheme that really delivers.

[lucy]

Thats great Diane, A small amount of money can go a long way and help the less fortunate to improve their quality of life .

Big cheers to people like you!

By the way can you lend me a tenner?

[The Peepmaster]

There's a lot of positivity about the internet, with people-power transcending traditional obstacles, such as in this example. It's a shame we still get the scams, which often seem to come from Nigeria, for some reason. I'm sure this is a concern to the Nigerian govt and decent people there.

[Diane CBPFC]

Sorry Lucy, all I have on me is a three pound note. 

[Diane CBPFC]

All is not well in the world of Kiva 

I wrote this letter to them today.

I am in a quandary about what to do about Kiva. I have been on for a little over a year and thought this was the answer to help the working poor. I love how Kiva’s website is fast to use and easy to search. I have already given 2 gift certificates this year. I have bought the 10 pack of calendars with the plan of giving a calendar out with a gift certificate to 6 people this xmas season. For me Kiva has been a wonderful experience and I look forward to the 15th of the month when I can pick out new loans with re-payment funds. Kiva has been a source of joy for me, I joy I had wanted to share.  I have spoke on Kiva at Toastmasters twice and have been asked to speak at someone’s church in the New Year.

THEN I heard about the cockfighting loans. I gave Kiva the benefit of the doubt in that a few such odd loans could slip through the huge system (I also once saw a disturbing loan for a currency exchange business in a red light district) – with thousands of loans posted each month, the odd one is bound to pass by unnoticed I had thought. However, this weekend’s pro-cockfighting blog on the main page http://www.kiva.org/blog/fellows/2010/12/11/culture-cock-fighting-and-something-of-value-2/ which linked to the co-founder’s thoughts on the issue which were made in 2008 and summed up as a “waste of time considering”.

I don’t think this issue is a waste of time. The idea of tying on weapons to cocks and watching them slice each other to death for entertainment and profit and defending this as culture to me is wrong. I would not fund such a loan and hope that I haven’t. As I have funded a few poultry loans I am not sure.

I call for Kiva to be honest. I could live with a compromise: if cockfighting loans are going to be offered – then LIST them as such – if they are culture and nothing to be ashamed of then list them as cockfighting loans rather than poultry farming. Other loans on Kiva are transparent. Pubs are listed as pubs – not grain processing. This lets the tea -totaler opt out. Butchers are listed as such which lets vegetarians opt out.

I find it hard to believe that cockfighting loans would be knowingly funded. Let the market judge this issue.

People are leaving Kiva over this issue – I think it is time Kiva made its position clear.

[Diane CBPFC]

After further conversations with myself and a lady at Kiva - I've decided I can live with this - but added this to my Kiva profile.

LOVE: 99.99% of the things that Kiva does!
HATE: Cockfighting loans – Kiva is pro-cockfighting and defends the practice as “culture”.  Read the small print on all poultry farming loans if you do not want to accidentally support a blood sport.

[The Peepmaster]

I agree with you, Diane. I don't like cock-fighting, but appreciate it's a major "domestic "sport" in the Philippines, and I can do nothing other than avoid it. I can't stop the fervour and enthusiasm for it.

It seems Kiva isn't perfect, but it is a fantastic initiative. I like the fact that it's not a charity, and that you get repaid. It's lending what you can spare to those that can benefit from it entrepreneurially. A great sustainable model.

[Diane CBPFC]

I agree with you, Diane.

Oh, I do like that phrase - say it again!

I agree with you, Diane.

Cool!