Global Update
The movement of people across and within borders around the world has been significant in the past decade.
In fact, the United Nations estimates there to be over 89.3 million refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) worldwide, with 5 million refugees in East Africa alone. Often, movement is a result of conflict or instability, with people leaving their...
In a rural village called Chivay, surrounded by mountains and few economic opportunities, Estefania Cacya Penaloza prevails by getting her family ahead.
As a single mother, she takes care of 6 family members, owns a small convenience store and is now taking on a new project: harvesting her mom’s broad beans.
“I do it in honor of my mother.”
This past May, Estefania’s...
Ghana
Cocoa is known as the main cash crop in Ghana - but cashews will soon surpass cocoa exports, Samuel Gyasi told me during my 6-month Kiva fellowship in Ghana. Samuel works for Advans Ghana, Kiva's Field Partner in the region. The organization provides microfinancing to micro, small and medium-sized businesses with an emphasis on agriculture.
I spent the first 2 months of my fellowship working with Samuel and Advans Ghana. On this particular day, we left the chaos of Accra for the rural beauty and peace of the Volta Region to introduce local farmers in Heikope...
Tajikistan
Munavvara Chillaeva insists her talent as a seamstress and embroiderer was a gift from God. No one taught her, but she became the first Master Seamstress of Tajikistan - a role designated by the president himself.
Munavvara lives in a town just outside of the capital of Dushanbe in a lovely, typical family compound with her 7 children and many grandchildren. There is a rose garden in the center courtyard and an outdoor dining area for...
Continue Reading >> Ghana
Like so many others in Ghana, Abigail got a loan for her provisions shop. Like so many others, she wanted to buy products that increased her profit so she could make more money. She was trying to save enough money to enroll in university. Okay, so the last part is a bit different. But that’s just one of the many qualities that make Abigail unique.
Abigail's story involves broken homes, dreams of helping kids, perseverance, faith and unparalleled determination.
Global Update
“Georgia the state or Georgia the country?”
I usually have to explain to friends and family that my Kiva Fellowship took me to the tiny eastern European country of Georgia, not the state of Georgia in the American South.
Despite its low profile, Georgia is an ancient country with a long fruitful history, glorious natural beauty and incredible architecture. It’s been around long before the Georgia Peach. After testing unearthed clay wine jars called qvevri, scholars confirmed that wine was being made in Georgia in 6,000 B.C., over 8,000 years ago!
...
Costa Rica, 
Guatemala
Over the past five months, I served as a Kiva Fellow in Guatemala and Costa Rica. Before coming to Central America, it was hard to ignore the headlines of violence and immigration that are often associated with countries in this region. Particularly as a solo female traveler, I was unsure of how my experience would be shaped by these issues.
For years, people have fled Central America - mainly Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador - to escape violence, search for economic opportunity and find a safe place to raise their family. Some people choose to make the trek with...
Tanzania
Ever wondered what a more inclusive society would look like? It looks a bit like the world created by Neema Crafts Centre, a social enterprise founded in 2003 with the mission to train and provide employment opportunities to people with disabilities.
The vibrant choice of colors and creativity of products is a reflection of the work done at this center
During a day off from my Kiva Fellowship, I had the opportunity to visit...
Continue Reading >> Global Update
الطريق مفتوح؟
Is the way clear?
This was the sentiment voiced by my Palestinian colleagues at Al-Ibdaa and Palestine for Credit & Development (FATEN) before we set off for the field. Under the complicated governance structures dictated by the Oslo Accords, the West Bank has been carved into Area A, Area B and Area C. Area A falls under the holistic jurisdiction of the...
Kenya
Founded in 2005, Kiva Microfunds is a nonprofit organization revolutionizing the fight against global poverty. As the first person-to-person micro-lending website, Kiva.org is an online marketplace where anyone can make zero-interest loans to specific entrepreneurs in the developing world through a growing network of 290 field partners in 85 countries.
Before my fellowship with Kiva, its model almost sounded like a Ponzi scheme. I couldn't believe...
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