Fellows Blog

Stories from the field

Stories tagged with Kenya

Jul 7, 2013 KE Kenya



I arrived to a tiny, dusty roadside stand with three wooden stalls and a few locals hanging around.  This was Matutu, a small village in Western Kenya.  I hoped this Matutu anyway.  There were no signs, and it isn’t on Google maps.  A boda boda driver took me to my meeting point.  A school somewhere nearby.
 
 
As we drove down the dusty, dirt roads, I was mesmerized by the scenery of lush, green, rolling hills.  And the locals were equally enamored with me.  Group after group of children running behind... Continue Reading >>
Jul 7, 2013 KE Kenya
When Aditi and I arrived in Busia, dust-splayed and weather-beaten on the shared backseat of a boda boda, we did not look like your average tourists.
 
The midday sun was at its height, and as we throttled down miles of dusty country roads, the wind kicked up streaks of earth that colored my clothes red and coursed through my hair. Sitting on the very back of the motorbike, with Aditi sandwiched in-between me and the driver, I grasped for the metal bar behind me with one hand, and with the other, waved at an ever-evolving panorama of fruit sellers, truck drivers... Continue Reading >>
Jul 7, 2013 KE Kenya
Kibera
 

My first week at Kiva was similar in some ways to on-boarding I’ve experienced at other companies.  There were long hours spent in a conference room looking at PowerPoint presentations, listening to guest speakers, trying to learn new software and procedures, and, of course, a fun group dinner.
 
 
But it was also unlike any other on-boarding that I’ve experienced.  We went to Refuge Point, and learned about... Continue Reading >>
Jun 6, 2013 KE Kenya

Kisumu Innovation Center Kenya (KICK) Trading’s mission is to revive community livelihood by connecting the Kenyan artisans to markets all over the world.
 
http://www.kicktrading.org/
 
We had the pleasure of visiting KICK a few weeks ago and getting a glimpse into this innovative organization using recycled materials around Lake Victoria to change the lives of local artisans.
KICK-star...
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Jun 6, 2013 KE Kenya

Michael Nyangi is a brand new trustee with Kiva Zip through his organization Lomoro Microfinance.  I had the pleasure of meeting Michael this past week and can say he is one of the most inspiring and impressive individuals I have ever met.  His story is one of true leadership by example...

 
At the age of 21 Michael was walking through Kibera when he noticed two single, destitute women with babies and lent each $20.  The next day he saw the impact that money had on them – each... Continue Reading >>
May 5, 2013 AZ Azerbaijan, EC Ecuador, GO Global Update, GT Guatemala, KE Kenya
We've collected a few of our favorite (and cutest) photos of mothers, grandmothers and their children from the circle of Kiva borrowers around the world. 

We hope that you make a this a special day to remember your mothers and any other women who cared for you like a mother!   

P.S. A Kiva Card makes a great last-minute gift!


Mother and daughter CAURIE borrowers, Fautou and Sylla in...
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May 5, 2013 GO Global Update
Rainbow seen from Matatu near Mwingi town

When you are looking at the Kiva website, you might occasionally wonder: “Is that a real person and are they really getting a loan for what they’re saying?” How does Kiva make sure their partners are doing what they claim to be doing?  They send out over-qualified but eager volunteers who ride hundreds of hours on public transportation, drink countless cups of tea, and meet a randomly chosen... Continue Reading >>
Mar 3, 2013 KE Kenya


Kiva borrowers, their bikes, and their loan officer, Carol, are ready to roll in Kenya.

How did you get to work this morning?  How will you get home tonight?  How will you travel to see your family and friends this weekend?  What was your answer? Most of us probably answer with a combination of car, plane, subway, train, bus, bicycle, or on foot.  I’m sure there are a few interesting commutes involving horse rides and boats, but most of us come and go on a somewhat predetermined schedule on... Continue Reading >>
Mar 3, 2013 GO Global Update

I met Eunice due to an emergency Kiva Fellows situation -- Liz, our incredibly talented media fellow needed to film a bee hive inspection at night, and we had no lights. Luckily, I noticed a ‘Solar Solutions’ shop across the street, we ran over to see what we could find. After a few...

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Mar 3, 2013 KE Kenya

On March 4th, 2013 over 12.3 million Kenyans headed to the polls to elect their next parliamentarians, senators, governors and their fourth president since independence 50 years ago. In the weeks prior to the big day, Kenyans urged one another to become registered voters, consequently breaking all of its election records to date. Over 14.3 million people registered to vote, 86.1% of which turned out on election day. Many voters woke up before dawn, queuing as early as 1:00 am, and waited more than 10 hours to cast their ballots.

... Continue Reading >>

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