Beauty Salons in Nicaragua

I made a loan today to Raquel Moreno who is in Nicaragua and wants money to build a wall. She has a business in her house and thinks it will be more professional if there is a wall dividing. I concur. And wish her luck.

New lending strategy

Its always hard to decide on loans. So many variables to choose from. I do have a lending strategy, I tend to lend to people from Honduras, seamstresses, people called Julia, people from countries I haven't loaned to, and people from other Latin American countries, specifically Mexico. Thanks to Agents of Change I have an interest in Mexico.

so today I decided to lend to the oldest loan from Mexico. Noe Muñoz Cornejo is in Acuna and wants money to add a room to his house. These types of loans aren't as popular on Kiva, but it will eventually get funded.

Seamstresses and hard-to-fund loans

A new seamstress loan recommendation (thanks Kay), Ana Ramirez Mosquea in the Dominican Rebublic. Ana is one of five microentrepreneurs in her Bank of Hope solidarity group, all of whom have gone through Esperanza's business training courses. Each of the five members will receive a share of this $975 loan for their respective businesses and will be accountable to each other for repaying their share of this loan together. This group-lending method strengthens social ties in the community and helps ensure that members cooperate to help one another repay their loans and invest wisely in their businesses and families. This money will go towards the next loan received by this Bank of Hope; once they finish paying back their current loan it will be activated.

I also made a loan to Shakir Islamov in Azerbaijan. Its a new loan and I"m the first lender, and I'm curious to see how long it will take to fund. These types of loans used to fund in about a week in Jan/Feb.

Seamstresses

A friend sent me this link thinking I would be interested in her loan. She's a seamstress who has taken advantage of her opportunities and opened a shop. I'm going to go sew some clothes for my shop.... (in SL).

Kiva

Well, this Kiva loan caught my eye, its to a Guatemalan women Alma Ortiz de Muñoz and she has the same birthday as Barak Obama! How's that for a shallow reason to lend money! I'm sure Alma will make the most of her loan and use it to increase her business and give her family a better life. Its hard not to want to support a mother who is willing to work hard for her kids.

Igive

I set up an Igive account with my Selected Cause:"KIVA-Loans". Igive is a shopping portal that donates part of the funding to the charity of your choice. Kivafriends have set up to collect money for more loans. I made a drugstore.com purchase today to contribute.

Cobbler in Nicaragua

Well I made the next best thing to a Kiva loan to Honduras, one to Nicaragua with Prisma. I am lending today to Denis Gonzalez who is a cobbler and wants money for supplies. He has two school aged girls, and this will help them with their schooling too.

Sometimes I wonder what all these kids will be doing. What if one of Denis daughters ends up curing malaria or something? I think the effects of Kiva will be really felt in the next generation. The data from Banglash are impressive in this regards, many children ended up at University.

House loans in Mexico

I'm lending to a Mexican Kiva lender who wants money to build a house. They bought the land a few years ago and are paying rent, and need the initial capital to build. There are lenders who don't like this type of loan, because it doesn't directly affect a business and there isn't any guarantee that they will have the funds to pay it back. There is no descriptions that they work and can afford it, and there is more faith in these types of loans.

Well I have faith, I think the MFI has screened them to make sure they aren't burdened with the loan payments. And I think that they will actually work really hard to make sure they pay the loan, because they really want their own house. And on the flip side, its $25 to me. So I think the risks and rewards are worth the payoff.

I've been building in SL a lot lately, I see the need for houses..

Solar Living Institute

I just became a friend of the solar living institute. I will be getting a one year subscription to SoLutions newsletter, as well as Plenty Magazine. The purpose of the Solar living Institute is to educate, train, produce, and inspire. Its a good time to invest in alternative energy.

Weaving and motocycles

I just couldn't resist helping Heang Loeng in Cambodia with this loan, she wants it for weaving materials and a motorcycle, since I am both a weaver, and a motorcyclist (my last bike was a 750cc Honda).

I am also helping Kiva in Second Life today, I am arranging for a free both for us in a charity mall. 'cause I need one more thing to set up!

Obama table at the street fair

Yesterday I helped out at the street fair, we've set up an Obama table. This is the second week, and we plan to do it every Friday. It was a lot of fun, got to meet some nice people and everyone seems very supportive of Obama. Our group is now meeting twice weekly, which is exciting.

Hope for Change.

Kiva TV and Kiva loans

Have you seen the new Kiva TV?

Makes me want to loan. So today I made a loan to Azerbaijan, its been a while. Elmira Makhmudova wants $475 for her strawberry farm.

Happy 4th

In honor of the date, I sent off a few letters to anysoldier.com.

Happy Birthday USA. Wish you weren't at war.

Alley Cat Allies

I'm sending off another check to Alley Cat allies today. They are doing significant changes in animal control, keeping feral cat populations down. The results from the Fredericksburg, Virginia project that they performed last year worked better than expected. Many cats were TNR (Trap Neuter Return) and they convinced a few naysayers that the program really is effective.

Feral cats need help too.

Multiple Sclerosis and Green Energy

I made a donation to the 2007 Southern California chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society today. On the reply card they had boxes you could check if you had MS, had a family member with MS, knew someone with MS, or other. I checked off other. I had a friend in grade school who had it, so I guess in some ways I donate for her. But I mostly donate 'cause its the kind of place that really helps families out.

Their card says "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted". Aesop.

I took a look at my electric bill today. A while back the city of Pasadena gave us an option where we could choose to have part of our electricity be renewable. It costs a bit more, and you could pay either a fixed amount or a percentage of your electricity. We choose 100%, and apparently weren't the only people who did. The overall response was better than the city anticipated. And its not costing us that much, we paid $28 for 2 months extra (bringing the total around $190 for 2 months, so adding on less than 15%). Its a pretty easy way to be green. You might want to have your city look into it.

Groceries in Honduras

Sonia Maribel Pineda is looking for a small loan to help her grocery business, and I helped her today. She just needs a little bit of capital.

Kiva and Honduras

Its seems like a while since I've made a loan to Honduras, but I did today. Senovia Lopez wants $200 for her fruit business, and I'm happy to help with my small part. I hope others will join me.

Obama and Kiva Gift Certificates

Just made a donation to the Obama campaign to help their second quarter numbers. I think they are going to be very good. I was at our weekly Obama meeting last night and heard some things, including the fact the campaign is closely watching our group. Apparently we are one of the most active with weekly meetings and lots of events. We meet at a really cool place that has great food and ambiance, which is why the weekly meetings aren't that hard to do. I really enjoy hanging out with smart people who are actually committed and caring about the world.

I also got a few Kiva gift certificates for some people who work in my sewing business. They are all hard-working. The business is great to have, because it allows me to help people like stay-home-moms and people who have emergency fund needs. So when people come and say 'help, my car died and I need $200 this weekend to fix it', I can give them work to do to make the money. And we pay about 4-5 times minimum wage, the business was set up to give them work, not to make me profit. (Though I must say I am profiting, business is very good). Having this hobby business also keeps my scavenge friends away, the ones who just want my money but don't want to work for it. They used to try to give me grief and go on about how them and their families are deserving, and since I give to others they should get some. People like that tend to disappear when you actually offer them jobs to do, so its made my life a lot easier. Now I mostly get contacted by people who are actually willing to work. Today I got 2 emails for new sewers, and was happy to see one was a stay-home-mom. I'm not sure how many kids we are currently helping feed (I don't even know how many sewers we have, I'm not involved in production) but I think the record was 21 kids. And I've set up a few college funds (my own bank accounts I'm designating for them for college), 'cause schooling in the US is EXPENSIVE. I graduated with over $55,000 US in debt, mostly from grad school where I got 75% of it funded. (I paid it off by day-trading the stock market, which is not something I advise people to do). So I'm setting up college funds for the kids. ING does direct withdrawal, so we don't even notice it missing. And it so insignificant when compared to the UPS bill! (I pay the bills of the business, that's my 'job', I also do the web work).

Arcehaelogical Conservancy

I just made a donation to the Archaeological Conservancy to their POINT-3 program. That's a fund they are trying to create so they can afford to buy land when its available, to ensure that it gets conserved. It would be nice to keep things for the next generation.

Kiva loan to Mexico

I have been doing some crafty things for sale today, and that inspired me to lend to JUANA PEREZ PEREZ. She does embroidery and will use her loan money to purchase supplies wholesale.

Sesame Street in other countries

I made a donation today to Sesame Street to help its international programs. They are celebrating that they just started programming in India. The programs are always country specific, and devloped by local individuals with the workshops guidance. I think muppets can help make the world a better place.

This blog has been sponsored by the letter K. For Kindness. Lets try making more in the world.

Fair Trade Coffee Subscription

I started a subscription for fair trade coffee today. I found a place through the Coop America's National Green Pages. The Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie is located in Washington, and they believe that the small act of buying coffee beans can be part of the giant act of positive change in the world.

They go into detail where they buy their beans from, and apparently they started Peets Coffee so they probably know how to roast the beans well. I ordered a 3 month supply to start, getting delivered monthly. Even with shipping its only a few dollars more than I currently spend.

My Sandbox

Well I just read some nasty stuff written about me and this blog. I didn't read all of it because I didn't see the need. Its amazing that there is such meanness around, not only that people get in a discussion, but also that someone felt the need to notify me that I was being trashed. I don't understand people like that, but I'm thinking they don't lead very happy lives and need to express their own hurt.

I write this blog for my own amusement. For me its a way of keeping track of all that I do, its helpful to know when I pay my annual memberships, donate, etc. It also forces me to think about the world every day, and what I can do to help. Its very easy to get caught up in thinking only about individuals needs and wants, and forgetting that we still need to make progress on making the world a better place. I have been gifted with a lot of skills and talents that have led to a good accumulation of wealth. I have always shared what I have, even when I was poor and didn't have much. I have been an activist most of my life.

I appreciate all the positive comments I have got on this blog, and I am thrilled that people have learned about some great charities through me. I know Futures for Children appreciates all the new mentors. I know my posts tend to be very Kiva oriented, and that often is due to lack of time to come up with anything else. I am really glad there are other people like me in the world. And some of them are good friends of mine, and I also keep this blog for them, 'cause they keep asking 'what can I help you with now'?

It does seem like I brag on this blog, and this is much more detailed information that I would ever give anyone in person. I can't talk about all I do to my friends 'cause it overwhelms them, most lead normal lives where they don't devote most of their time to 'doing good' (my job is helping cure diseases, everything I do is for public health). My hobbies relate around activism. I overwhelm people sometimes with all that I do. So I try not to do that and use my blog as my outlet. But I figured, its my blog, so I can talk about me?

So this is MY sandbox, and if you're going to be mean don't play in it. The web is a very big place and I don't have room in my life for negativity.

By the way, if you need a loan you can go to prosper.com. Send me the link and I'll probably bid on it. 'Cause I'm like that.

The United Way

Today I sent in my yearly contribution to the United Way. The United Way is an interesting charity because its actually a charity that collects for other charities. I have a special fondess for the United Way because I worked at one in NH ages ago.

Most of the charities are local, the United Way LA helps 35 agencies that service the very poor in our city. AS the letter states, as the sun goes down tonight, more than 90,000 homeless people (including 20,000 children) will look for a safe place to sleep.

This is just not right for a rich city in a rich country. PATH has some great solutions (Joel's book is a great read), but as they point out we need more people doing things. Its hard to know what to do. Giving money helps. I try to do other things, I give away fleece blankets and toiletry kits to the guys at the freeway exits/entrances (especially at the Veterans Administration hospital). I buy homeless people food or coffee if I see them when I get it (I probably buy about 2-5 meals/week), and yes, I give people money if they ask. I know its not good. I know they spend it on cigs and booze sometimes. But who am I to judge what they do with it, and it means so much more to them. And if I lived on the street I'd probably want to smoke and drink too.

I also paid a big tax bill to the City of Calgary today, hopefully some of that funds will go to helping hard working Canadians.

More used clothings stores in Honduras

It so great waking up to new Honduran loans. Sohor Lorena Cardenas needs $250 for her used clothing business. I'm helping her out.

Another day, another Honduran loan

Another day, another loan to Honduras. It is so exciting to see all the loans there. I have accepted the fact that I can't be in on all of them, I must share.

The loan today was to Maria Ventura Paz for her clothing business in Choluceta.

Kiva loan today

I loaned to Marisabel Turcios Carias today in Honduras, she sells appliances in Teguigalpa.

Used clothing in Honduras

I loaned today to Ilzer Anarda Martinez and she's going to expand her used clothings store.

Close to Julia

Today I did not bid on all the Honduran loans I saw, there were just too many pages of them. So I held off for a few hours, and it dwindled, then I bid on Julieta Rodriguez Mejia for her used clothing business. She is in Choluteca.

Groceries in Honduras

I found two Honduran loans today to bid on, both are for grocery stores in Choluteca, Honduras. Sandra Elizabeth Gutierrez is borrowing $400, while Adriana Zelaya is borrowing $250.

Seamstresses in Honduras

In Teguigalpa, Honduras, Glenda Patricia Amador and Francisca Antonia Meza both want to borrow $150 for their seamstress business.
As someone who uses a sewing machine a lot, I am happy to lend her the money. I hope their businesses do as well as mine.

Four more Honduran Loans

I'm back from San Francisco, I saved lots of tax payers money.

I found a few Honduran loans this morning, what a great way to start the day. These loans are all in Teguigalpa, (do I get points for being able to both say AND spell it?).

Rosa Antonia Valladares wants $300 to increase her clothing business.
Domitila Ardon wants $375 for her tortilla business. Santos Irma Lopez Alvarez wants $500 to increase her products.

Karen Melissa Obando wants $275 for her coconut milk business, she's going to buy more coconuts and machetes.

Kiva Gift Certificates to Celebrities

I wrote a letter to Paris Hilton today because injustice bothers me always. I know the LA jail system well enough to know that someone who did what she did would be out already. If it was me, I would be out. So she is not being treated fair.

I sent her a Kiva gift certificate, along with several loan pages that I had printed out of the AoC event so she could get an idea of what Kiva is and who she can lend to. I'm hoping she'll get involved, even if anonymously.

I am leaving for San Francisco in a few hours to attend an NIH study section. I will be reviewing grant proposals and helping decide which ones to prioritize to fund. So that's how I will be changing the world on Monday and Tuesday, and I probably won't have time to post about it. The meeting on Monday will be over 10 hours I'm sure. Lots of intense thinking.

I took some time out of second life to do some real life loaning to Guatemala. Maria Sajbochol consisted herself a spirited, fighting women and want to expand her business. I would love to wear her clothes. I'm wearing Guatemalan pants right now!

More on the Kiva Friends site

The new Kiva friends Second Life Hang out place is coming along. I made my first cut out today, and she will be selling tomatoes.

Second Life and Kiva Friends

Today I set up a virtual place for Kiva Friends to hang in Second Life. We still have a lot of work to do at the place, but so far a few people have dropped by including a president of a NGO in South Africa.

I think it will be a productive, fun place. Can't wait till the Grand Opening Party.

Agents of Change

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The Agents of Change came today, the Riders for Change. They were a lot of fun and it was great meeting them.

We had an event in Santa Monica (at Kelly's place). And I'm tired!

Two more Honduras loans

I made two more loans to Honduras today, but will have to wait to put up pictures. The ABC special aired tonight (that I was interviewed for) and it seems to have crashed the site. And its only aired in the East.

GO KIVA.

Paraguay

I'm lending to a new country today - Edilia Areco in Paraguay wants to expand her store and needs a little capital. This is a new country for Kiva also.

Two quick Sunday loans to Honduras

Made two quick loans today, one to Alba Alicia Garmendia Lopez who wants money for her clothing store, the other to Mercedes Funes Velasquez for her clothing store. Both are in Dani.

I'm thinking if I ever make it to Dani, Honduras, I'm going to be buying clothes.

41.4% of my Kiva loans are to Honduras.

Another day of Sunshine

I loaned to Maria Consuelo Moncada today, she is from Danli, Honduras and wants $500 for her store.

40.5% for Honduras

More Honduran Loans

These ones really were hard. There were paypal issues. But I persevered. I got to lend to Gloria Cecilia Cubas Mejia who wants $600 for her store in Danli.

Ada wants $150 for her tortilla business. She is very happy her daughters are both professionals.

Ruth wants $250 for her clothing store.


And Reina wants $500 for her cookie and bread shop.




40% of our loans are currently to Honduras.

New Honduran loans

I managed to get in on these Honduran loans, thanks to my obsessive checking and a head's up from a friend. These loans tend to go fast, they might even be funded by the time I finish this post. From Danli, I loaned to Brenda

Hernandez for supplies for her store, and I sure would like some of those baked goods. I can see donuts there.

Catalina del Carmen Sandoval wants $325 to fund her firewood sales and tortilla making business. Iris Martinez wants some capital to stock her home store.









Francisa sells appliances, Joel has a home store,

Ramon wants new tires for his bus, and Aida wants more inventory for her store.

These seven loans got our Honduras portfolio up to 38%. I love Honduras.