I am sitting in a Lada 1500, zooming down a pothole-filled tarmac road in the middle of nowhere, Tajikistan. This is a 2004 Russian-made car, which at its time of production had a few enhancements that included a clock and improved sound-proofing. What it lacked were airbags, seat belts and doors that did not feel like they could fall off anytime. We were going 90 miles an hour, swerving around potholes, in a decade-old Russian car that we would probably not want the insurance company to know about. This is also known as the process of borrower-verification, where we head out into the field... Continue Reading >>
Stories tagged with Travel
Oct 10, 2014
Kenya
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One of the best parts of the Kiva Fellowship is the anticipation while awaiting the location of your placement, which could be nearly anywhere Kiva loans are available. Wouldn’t it be great to stroll by the Taj Mahal on the way to work, gallop on horseback through the plains of Mongolia, or take in a sunset on a Samoan beach?
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Sep 9, 2014
Tanzania
Experience the mystical, enchanting streets of Stone Town, Zanzibar:
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Jul 7, 2014
Kenya
After completing Kiva Fellows Training in San Francisco, and moving my last few possessions into storage in Chicago, it was time to make the 8000 mile journey to Nairobi and start my fellowship! With the exception of some visa troubles at the airport in Chicago, the journey went relatively simply and smoothly; I passed the time pretty effectively with a combination of in-flight movies, coffee and snacks in... Continue Reading >>
After completing Kiva Fellows Training in San Francisco, and moving my last few possessions into storage in Chicago, it was time to make the 8000 mile journey to Nairobi and start my fellowship! With the exception of some visa troubles at the airport in Chicago, the journey went relatively simply and smoothly; I passed the time pretty effectively with a combination of in-flight movies, coffee and snacks in... Continue Reading >>
Mar 3, 2014
Sierra Leone
Two years ago, back in Dublin, I hatched a plan to become a Kiva Fellow. In Africa, if at all possible.
To make the dream stick, I enrolled in a development work preparatory course held on weekends in an old Georgian building.
“First will come the honeymoon period,” the facilitator warned, in a class on cultural immersion. “Then culture shock, then adaptation. Finally, when you return home, there will be some reverse culture shock.”
The dream stuck and the plan worked out. I have been working in Sierra Leone as a Kiva Fellow since February, helping the... Continue Reading >>
To make the dream stick, I enrolled in a development work preparatory course held on weekends in an old Georgian building.
“First will come the honeymoon period,” the facilitator warned, in a class on cultural immersion. “Then culture shock, then adaptation. Finally, when you return home, there will be some reverse culture shock.”
The dream stuck and the plan worked out. I have been working in Sierra Leone as a Kiva Fellow since February, helping the... Continue Reading >>
Nov 11, 2013
Global Update, Guatemala, India, Mexico, Peru
In "Potluck fashion" the following blog post includes the perspective of 6 different Kiva fellows placed in 4 different continents. Each fellow bringing something different to the table. Our work with Kiva in microfinance is so rewarding that celebration seems inevitable. Thus, we thought it worthwhile to share a glimpse into recent holidays that we have witnessed around the world. ... Continue Reading >>
Aug 8, 2013
Costa Rica, El Salvador, Global Update, Guatemala, Honduras
This August, I completed 7 months on the road in Central America with Kiva! I had once ignorantly assumed homogeneity among Central American countries, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover differences in each city, region, and country that I have visited. From climate, to cuisine, to culture, to colloquialisms, I found myself amazed at the variety and distinctions.
So, here are 5 lessons learned and my Top Ten Favorites from my time in the Central America.
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So, here are 5 lessons learned and my Top Ten Favorites from my time in the Central America.
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Jul 7, 2013
Ukraine
A cool two-hour drive downriver from the still-entombed (yet unstable) Chernobyl nuclear disaster site stands Ukraine's capital city Kyiv (Kiev). As with most cities at this latitude, it's sweltering during the summer and many residents don't have air conditioning. Those who live outside the city, however, are able to endure the heat more easily.
For the last two months I've been living at a dacha, or cottage, where my parents-in-law live.
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For the last two months I've been living at a dacha, or cottage, where my parents-in-law live.
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Jul 7, 2013
Ukraine
1. If you’re traveling with a significant other, bring a padlock. (Don't worry, it's only for the Bridge of Love)
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1. If you’re traveling with a significant other, bring a padlock. (Don't worry, it's only for the Bridge of Love)
Jul 7, 2013
Peru
Alright, you caught me. No rivers were forded, nor were any woods traversed. Mostly dirt roads were traveled on and hillsides were (carefully) climbed.
Life in Peru has been wonderfully intense, exciting, tiring, and challenging over the last few weeks. I am not going to dwell on the awesome ceviche and seafood I have been fortunate enough to eat. Nor will I say much about the recent 5.1 earthquake that originated 50 miles off the coast of Lima (or 4.6, depending on where you get your earthquake news from).
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Life in Peru has been wonderfully intense, exciting, tiring, and challenging over the last few weeks. I am not going to dwell on the awesome ceviche and seafood I have been fortunate enough to eat. Nor will I say much about the recent 5.1 earthquake that originated 50 miles off the coast of Lima (or 4.6, depending on where you get your earthquake news from).
Continue Reading >>