Nicaragua | Kiva

Stories tagged with Nicaragua

Mar 3, 2013 Nicaragua

When I started my fellowship in Managua I was advised by many people to find a trusted taxi driver. Although much of the crime in the city is non-violent, petty-theft and street crime is frequent – especially when getting from point A to point B.

So, I asked around, and after trying about 15 numbers without any luck I finally came across a driver by the name of Jesús. For the past four weeks Jesús has taken me to and from work, and it’s been a blast getting to know him. He always has a smile on his face, has a great... Continue Reading >

Feb 2, 2013 Nicaragua

Mural outside Tecnosol's office in Managua, Nicaragua

For a moment, think about what you do in a normal, everyday, 24-hour time period. Take a second; no rush.

Got it? Now imagine it without electricity.

I’m guessing a significant portion of your everyday activities would suddenly become impossible, extremely less efficient, or flat-out uncomfortable. Sure, you could probably go without some of the... Continue Reading >

Jan 1, 2013 El Salvador, Nicaragua

Different beginning and end of the year in Central America By Juan Barbed

When I hear the words “Christmas” and “end of the year” my mind quickly thinksabout Christmas trees, baby Jesus, cold, family, presents, snow and many more. When I ask the people from Centroamerica whatcomes to their mind with these same words they mostly answer the same, the only thing they change is they don´t say cold neither snow, and they normally include beach or river instead of them.

1st January in Rivas, Nicaragua

After tough 3 months of work in El Salvador with Fundación Campo, Padecomsm and Integral I have just taken deserved holidays. Destination: South of...

Sep 9, 2012 Nicaragua

My Week with Premal – Kiva’s President visiting borrowers and partners in Nicaragua By Luan Nio

He is named Global Young Leader by the World Economic Forum and is on the Forbes 40 under 40 list.
It is easy to become impressed, maybe intimidated by a person that holds such accolades. But Premal Shah, president of Kiva, is the last person to become intimidated by. However, impressed? Yes, highly. And he was coming my way to Nicaragua.

Premal Shah’s lender page on Kiva. Note that he made over 300 loans.

The only time I...

Sep 9, 2012 Nicaragua

About Nicaraguan beer and rum – brought to you by Kiva clients By Luan Nio

Toña – the local beer in Nicaragua

The local rum is truly delicious. The most famous brand is Flor de Caña and is best drunk pure with ice. It is also very common to order a bottle, a bucket of ice, lemon, salt and a gaseosa of choice and build your own cocktails at your table.

Build-your-own Flor de Caña cocktails at your table with a bucket of ice, lemon...

Jul 7, 2012 Global Update

Update from the Field: Kiva Products New and Old, Lender-Borrower Connections, and a Nice Glass of Cold Milk By David Gorgani

A Kiva client in Guatemala weaves a huipil, or traditional dress garment – David Gorgani, Guatemala

This week’s update from the field covers a number of Fellows’ experiences as they work on adapting their MFIs’ innovative products to Kiva lenders, as they continue to develop Kiva’s newest and most innovative initiatives, and as they continue to visit borrowers – in this case borrowers whose loans they themselves financed! ...

Jul 7, 2012 Global Update

Feeling truly connected: Kiva Fellows meeting their “own” borrowers in person By Luan Nio

Luan Nio and Olivia Hanrahan-Soar | KF18 | Nicaragua and Zambia

Kiva works hard to facilitate a connection between lenders and borrowers, through photographs, video interviews, and email updates from the borrowers themselves. Nothing compares, though, to the experience of being able to meet that borrower in person and see how your funds and the funds of others have had a tangible impact on his or her life.

Two Kiva fellows recently got the extraordinary opportunity to visit a borrower they had personally lent money to.

Luan from...

Jul 7, 2012 Cambodia

Update from the Field: By David Gorgani

Ceviche and chicharron at a festival on Peru’s National Ceviche Day – Eduarda Carmo Vaz, Peru

As we begin to get a feel for our new placements and our new countries, we Fellows have also begun to ponder items ranging from local business realities to simply why we love what we do. The nine posts in this update give a great deal of insight into the work of a Fellow, local culture in the locations in which we are placed, and most importantly,...

Jun 6, 2012

by Luan Nio | KF18 | Nicaragua

We think we are all well-travelled, educated and smart, with great interpersonal skills and able to handle difficult situations. But what does actually happen at a Kiva Fellow’s first day in the office?
Most of us have not worked in microfinance before, have never visited their destination country and sometimes don’t speak the local language as well as they might think.

Here are impressions from around the globe during our first day with our assigned Kiva field partner.

Jan 1, 2012

Compiled by Laurie Young, KF16, Indonesia

I know! We can’t believe it either! Our Kiva Fellowships, as the 16th class, have come to an end. So what’s in store for us once we return to our homes? Or perhaps, stay in the field for another fellowship? Read on for the next chapter in the lives of some of the 16th Class of Kiva Fellows Alumni.

Jim Burke, AFODENIC, Managua

I am returning to San Francisco after working around Latin America for the past year. Apparently, it’s time to go home and get ‘a...