After attending Kiva... Continue Reading >>
Stories tagged with Alalay sa Kaunlaran, Inc. (ASKI)
After attending Kiva... Continue Reading >>
By Allie Cook, KF15, Philippines
There are currently an estimated 10 million Filipinos currently working abroad, about one-tenth of the population. They are called Overseas Filipino Workers or OFWs. OFWs generally see their families once a year.
This means there are millions of children growing up without a mother or father. Life is put on hold. Millions of birthdays are missed and marriages are postponed...
Continue Reading >>By John Rauschkolb III, KF-12, Philippines
During my first lazy Sunday afternoon I sat outside, catching the rays and admiring the scenery. A large ant farm freeway was busily working its way to and from it’s farm on the hill to a small apple core which was thrown there the day before. The ants were diligent and tireless until 4:55 p.m. GONE. No ant to be seen and still plenty of apple core left to be consumed. Why were they gone you ask? They knew that in five minutes the rain would be coming and they needed to get to high ground.
While traveling in the...
Continue Reading >>John Rauschkolb III, KF-12, Philippines
The recent presidential election has changed the face of the Philippines for good. Local elections in the Philippines were held on Monday, May 10, 2010, and the elected president, Benigno Aquino III, has become the 15th President of the Philippines. With the rise of corruption in the government, this election brought many changes. During the election, the Commission on Elections completed the nation’s first computerized election in the history of the Philippines in compliance with the Amended Computerization Act of 2007. This paved the way...
Continue Reading >>by Teresa Dunbar, KF5, Cambodia and Philippines
It was the summer of 2008. As I sat and watched the stock markets crash around the world from my Cambodian apartment, I could not help but get nervous about my job prospects post fellowship. At that point, I felt like I’d made a mistake by leaving a great job in philanthropy to follow my heart by becoming a Kiva Fellow to learn how microfinance works on the ground. I remember when I told my family of my decision, they thought I was crazy. I was beginning to think they might be right. Watching US financial pillars crash and...
Continue Reading >>For any employee at Alalay sa Kaunlaran (ASKI) field partner, business and community development programs are seen as crucial in offering a holistic approach to serving the people of Luzon province in Northern Philippines. ASKI combines a variety of non-financial services with lending that is enhancing the technical, operational and strategic skills of clients – helping them to achieve financial and personal growth.
This three-pronged method to honing client skills has led to ASKI’s impressive client retention and portfolio quality statistics. From interviews with borrowers in...
Continue Reading >>Mary Riedel KF 9 Philippines
Last month I picked up my clothes from the Washeteria. I was psyched, walking home with that, “I have clean clothes to wear,” feeling (you know the one). I got home, opened the cube shaped bag, it smelled so nice, even my underwear were folded! “What can I wear tomorrow?”
I stumbled upon a long blue, polyester skirt. “Hmmm, this definitely doesn’t look like mine,” (although having worn uniforms for 12 years I did feel a slight connection.)
Quickly I worried, “If I have...
Continue Reading >>Mary Riedel, KF9, Philippines
It’s that day of the year when we look forward with hope as we let go of last year’s demons and angels; as they say, “let go or get dragged!” So we put on those funny hats, blow those horns, and dance like we just don’t care!
To inspire you this New Years I’ve collected some dance footage of Kiva Fellows bustin’ a move in the field at their respective Kiva Field Partners (Microfinance Institutes). Each fellow recalls feeling a little trepidatious at getting out on the...
Continue Reading >>By Adam Preston, KF9, Philippines
I was perusing through my IPhoto gallery when it occurred to me, I am almost done here. Since October, I have been working at the head office of Alalay sa Kaumlarun or ASKI. I have been on two week long field visits, a day trip to deliver relief goods to typhoons victims, 4 ASKI client annual meetings, and even day of team building through sports and exercise,...
Continue Reading >>Mary Riedel KF9, Philippines
…”Tis the season,” and, “twas the season” from the moment I arrived in the Philippines on October 3rd – a Kiva Fellow bound for Kiva’s Microfinance Partner ASKI. (Microfinance field partners, are a critical link in connecting Kiva lenders with Kiva borrowers. Check out this rad video to learn more about the process). The Christmas Season...
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