How+KIVA+Works

=How Kiva Works= by Kimber

Kiva is an organization that gives loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries. "Kiva.org loans are very low-risk. This is an appealing alternative to straight donations for many people" ([|Catone]). It is a website that allows you to pick who you want to lend to and then see the affect of your money as well as watch you money be paid back. It is a great way to help people because you can see the affect, plus you get your money back.

The way that the money gets to the entrepreneurs is a cycle. The cycle goes from lender to Kiva, Kiva to microfinance company, microfinance company to recevier and then back. As you can see in the figure below the cycle is quite simple. It is just four easy steps that you can track the whole time while the loan is being used. This is important because it makes the process very simple and easy for everyone to use. As you see, Kiva is a simple and affective way to help people in need. In this youtube, you will see a man named Angel who received a loan through Kiva and was able to expand his bike business. The people who receive loans are able to build a life for themselves and even get larger credit unions to voucher for them. Over the past two years, Kiva’s plan to relieve people from poverty through micro lending has sky rocketed. media type="youtube" key="ptoqG75mOhY&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&hl=en" height="355" width="425" As you have seen, Angel received a loan through Kiva and was able to grow his bike business. Now that Angel has a good foundation to build on, he will be able to provide his community with supplies and provide himself a better life//.// “The 49-year-old woman with four children has been in the cattle breeding business since 2003. Because she had repaid her $400 loan to build a stable, she seems credit-worthy. In addition, the Komak Credit Union vouches for her.” ([|Vassilaros]) This woman is a perfect example of the amazing affects of Kiva. Clearly, Kiva is working.

Kiva has taken a step that most of us aren’t even trying to make. They came up with a possible solution to allow people to succeed in their own country rather than migrating to other countries seeking jobs and at the same time helping to relieve people from poverty. This organization has done many great things for this world and maybe, if we all pitch in to help, it will solve the poverty epidemic and the migration problem.

Catone, Josh. "Kiva.org Crosses $11 Million in Micro loans to Developing Nations." __Read Write Web__ 13, Sept., 2007 1. 25, Feb., 2008 <[|http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/kiva_11_million_in_loans_to_developing_nations.php>.]
 * LIST OF SOURCES**

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptoqG75mOhY

Vassilaros, Dimitri. "A small world after all." __PittsburghTribune Review__ 9, Feb. 2007 1. 26, Feb. 2008 <[|http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/columnists/vassilaros/s_492403.html>.]