Fellows Blog

Stories from the field

Stories tagged with Kiva Field Partners

Apr 4, 2012 CM Cameroon

Natalie Sherman | KF17 | Cameroon

This week has been one of many firsts here at ACEP Cameroun.  Not only has the MFI’s partner page officially gone live, but the bank’s inaugural Kiva borrower, Nathalie, has just received her loan.  I watched with pride as ACEP’s Kiva Coordinator reviewed with Nathalie her disbursement paperwork and then walked her over to the cashier’s station.  It’s a sensation I’d liken to how one must feel when sending a son or daughter off to the first day of school- a mixture of joy, reassurance and perhaps just the tiniest bit of apprehension as to...

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Mar 3, 2012

By Kimberly Strathearn | KF 16/17 | Turkey

In previous blog posts, I have introduced the Maya Istanbul office, the Sakarya branch office, and the Izmit branch office.  This blog will highlight the Eskişehir branch office,  introduce Nermin Akar and Serpil Altıntaş and provide an update on three entrepreneurs.

From left to right: Nermin Akar and Serpil Altıntaş

The Eskişehir branch was started with the participation of the Eskişehir...

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Mar 3, 2012

By DJ Forza, KF16, Georgia

In Part 1 of this series, I shared how a second chance lead to positive change and opportunity for (personal) growth. In Part 2, we’ll take a look at an innovative new program developed by Credo that will help bring to help bring Kiva loans, financial services and client protection education to the most vulnerable of borrowers: previously rejected loan applicants who wish to start a new business.

Rejected: from bad to worse?
If modern microfinance was designed to help those at the base of the poverty pyramid- the...

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Feb 2, 2012 MZ Mozambique

Micaela Browning | KF17 | Mozambique

“A penny saved is a penny earned.”

Ah, the old adage; the bane of the average American adolescent’s existence.  My mother, in particular, constantly sung the  praises of fiscal responsibility and self-discipline. By the age of eleven, I had my own ATM card and bank account (my meager savings consisted of reluctantly deposited babysitting money and crumpled wads of birthday cash).

Though young, I generally understood that the bank would “guard” my money until I wanted to spend it, much like my best...

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Feb 2, 2012 CM Cameroon

Natalie Sherman | KF 17 | Cameroun

They have an air-conditioned waiting room, tiny espresso mugs, an executive director that knows how to make a good joke, and a long-standing record of excellent customer service.  They are a poverty-busting force to be reckoned with. Yep, there are some new kids in town.  Who are they?  ACEP Cameroun, one of Cameroon’s top four microfinance institutions, Kiva’s newest pilot partner, and the MFI I get to work with closely over the next four months of my Kiva fellowship.

ACEP Cameroun’s headquarters in...

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Feb 2, 2012

Kimberly Strathearn | KF 16 | Istanbul, Turkey

Although you will find many familiar fast food restaurants in Turkey, I have never understood why they are popular.  Turkish food is just too darn good. When I first started living in Turkey in 1998, there was very little western fast food, very little packaged junk food, and very little prepared foods (i.e. bottled sauces, frozen vegetable, mixes and other packaged foods).  I used to bring back lots of food items when I visited my family once a year.  Now I only bring back chili powder for when I occasionally...

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Jan 1, 2012 PH Philippines

The new year is already in full swing and resolutions are being met or failed as we speak. This New Year’s celebrations, for me, was a little different as I got to spend a full week with Center for Community Transformation staff as they celebrated 20 years of growth and successful service to the poor in the Philippines. President Ruth Callanta spent time reflecting on the past but also casting vision for the future as CCT hopes to transform more communities in the Philippines and reach more marginalized people groups.

There was a three-part theme set to guide the educational...

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Dec 12, 2011 EC Ecuador

By Emmanuel M. von Arx, KF16, Guayaquil (Ecuador)

My host and Kiva´s partner organization Banco D-MIRO provides over ten different types of microloans to borrowers in and around Guayaquil: among them loans to finance housing improvements, school expenses, medication, and loans awarded specifically to employees, young people with a great idea but no experience, and – as Ecuador´s only microfinance institution – discount loans for HIV-positive micro-entrepreneurs.

I am the first to attest, that all these loans have found enthusiastic and committed takers. Yet, one borrower...

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Dec 12, 2011 BO Bolivia

By Eric Rindal – KF16 – Bolivia

Part of my Fellowship here in Bolivia is to complete two Borrower Verifications (BVs) for two Kiva partner microfinance intuitions: Emprender and IMPRO. During the BV, I ask four questions to verify that the borrower is the real borrower, and...

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Dec 12, 2011 CR Costa Rica

By Andrea Ramirez, KF 16, El Salvador & Costa Rica.

I love double rainbows, too.

I love hot water.

I also love designated bus stops, and having lunch with co-workers..not at my desk.

I love the noise that the leaves of plantain trees make when the wind hits them.

I love having a garbage removal service..instead of having to burn the garbage to get rid of it.

I love the smile on a borrower´s face when they´re told their loan will be...

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