Xaverine is the answer you will most likely get in Nyamasheke, a remote village in west Rwanda. The mother of eight taught herself how to use the knitting machine four years ago in the hopes of bringing in additional income to her large family. She has now secured contracts with local schools to knit the blue and white striped sweaters for all the village kids. Not only does Xaverine support her own family, she wants her business to help the community as well. She has already taken... Continue Reading >>
Sandra is originally from a small island in Estonia but has made a home for herself in London. She received a BSc in Management and Strategy from Aston University and joined Ernst & Young as a management consultant after graduation. In her five and a half years at EY she has worked with numerous banks and insurance companies, large and small. She believes financial inclusion and access to financial services is key to fostering young entrepreneurs and building thriving communities. As part of her role at EY, Sandra had the privilege to work with a small entrepreneur in South Africa to help them growth their business in the summer of 2015. This terrific experience made it clear to her that she wants her success to have significance. Following this ethos, Sandra is excited to join the Kiva Fellows 29th Class to work with Urwego Opportunity Bank and Kepler Education in Kigali, Rwanda.
Fellows Blog Posts by Sandra Ool
May 3, 2016
Rwanda
Xaverine is the answer you will most likely get in Nyamasheke, a remote village in west Rwanda. The mother of eight taught herself how to use the knitting machine four years ago in the hopes of bringing in additional income to her large family. She has now secured contracts with local schools to knit the blue and white striped sweaters for all the village kids. Not only does Xaverine support her own family, she wants her business to help the community as well. She has already taken... Continue Reading >>
Xaverine is the answer you will most likely get in Nyamasheke, a remote village in west Rwanda. The mother of eight taught herself how to use the knitting machine four years ago in the hopes of bringing in additional income to her large family. She has now secured contracts with local schools to knit the blue and white striped sweaters for all the village kids. Not only does Xaverine support her own family, she wants her business to help the community as well. She has already taken... Continue Reading >>
Apr 12, 2016
Rwanda
Olive is only 24 years old but has already seen her business grow from strength to strength. What is the secret to her success? Eggs! Three years ago, only 21 at the time, Olive started selling rice and vegetables at the market. Two years later she had managed to save up enough profits and take out a Kiva loan to set up her own wholesale business selling eggs. Eggs are a staple food in Rwanda – high in nutrition, easy to cook and quick to eat – a clear winner in the eyes of the locals.... Continue Reading >>
Olive is only 24 years old but has already seen her business grow from strength to strength. What is the secret to her success? Eggs! Three years ago, only 21 at the time, Olive started selling rice and vegetables at the market. Two years later she had managed to save up enough profits and take out a Kiva loan to set up her own wholesale business selling eggs. Eggs are a staple food in Rwanda – high in nutrition, easy to cook and quick to eat – a clear winner in the eyes of the locals.... Continue Reading >>
Mar 10, 2016
Rwanda
The borrowers who I find most inspirational are the ones who go the extra mile to innovate in the hope of achieving a more sustainable income for themselves and their families. However, this commitment usually requires more up front capital than a Rwandan household has available. That is where Kiva’s field partner Urwego Opportunity Bank comes into play, as it seeks out the innovative women of Rwanda. I had the pleasure of meeting two of their long terms clients – Laetitia and Delianne. Laetitia invested in a cassava leaf grinder
The borrowers who I find most inspirational are the ones who go the extra mile to innovate in the hope of achieving a more sustainable income for themselves and their families. However, this commitment usually requires more up front capital than a Rwandan household has available. That is where Kiva’s field partner Urwego Opportunity Bank comes into play, as it seeks out the innovative women of Rwanda. I had the pleasure of meeting two of their long terms clients – Laetitia and Delianne. Laetitia invested in a cassava leaf grinder
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