buy products to amass more stock.

Made a kiva loan to Silvio in Brazil.  First time lending in Brazil. I think his summary really summarizes a lot of Kiva need:

A loan of $1,475 helps Silvio to buy products to amass more stock.

As a small business person building up inventory I can totally relate.

!0 loans

Made 10 Kiva loans.
Been busy with house renovations and the business and my work. Not necessarily in that order.
And going through some personal issues (break up) which makes me lethargic and not wanting to blog. But I"m crawling out of it.

Back to lending to Julia's

I could not find any loans in the lender statistics, I've leant to all the microlenders, in all fields, etc.  Or as many as I could.
So I'm back to lending to Julia's. Made 2 loans today. One may not get funded, it's only at 1% and has 4 days left.

I haven't been posting here 'cause I've had some personal issues and it's made me not want to do too much. Life gets in the way. I got hurt and wanted to crawl into my shell for a bit.

I hope I'm back.

Kiva zip - loans to California

I made 3 loans today to people in California through the kiva zip program.

Kiva

I made 10 Kiva loans today to use up credit that acculated over the holidays. One was to a new industry, the others to new microlenders. I'm still trying to get one in each category. I like completing things. And data.

www.kiva.org

I want to go fly my Kiva plane. Wonder if I still have it.

Dinner for one

I bought a meal today for a street person who was sitting outside Whole Foods. I got him something hot - a chicken bowl with veggies. And a drink.  Made his world a bit better today.

Christmas presents from local artisans

My co-op (that just opened this year) had a crafts fair with local artisans. I decided to do all my christmas shopping there. I usually try to do it all in one place, supporting one thing. I've adopted Gorillas and given Kiva gift certificates and shopped at 10,000 villages.

This year everyone is getting items from co-op members.  I had a necklace for my mom elongated and the artisan stopped by my house to deliver. How's that for personal service!

11 Kiva loans

I have lots of kiva credit so made 11 kiva loans to lenders I haven't lent to, to finish those stats.

Made food for Thanksgiving for homeless/needy folk

I helped make food today at a local restaurant to feed the homeless for Thanksgiving. Got to work in the kitchen.

Gorillas

I made a donation to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund

.  I like to support her.

Tree people - trees in Los Angeles

I made my yearly donation to Tree people.  They plant trees in the Los Angeles area. I've planted trees with them. It's a lot of fun, better then when I was trying to do it as a living.

After we plant each tree we hold hands around and say a prayer chant and name it. And go back and water it to help it survive.  Very different than the commercial enterprises I was part of where we planted many poorly and hoped a few survived.

Planned Parenthood.

Made my yearly donation to Planned parenthood. Everyone deserves access to birth control.

Oxfam

Made a donation to Oxfam America

"Oxfam America is a global organization working to right the wrongs of poverty, hunger, and injustice. As one of 17 members of the international Oxfam confederation, we work with people in more than 90 countries to create lasting solutions. Oxfam saves lives, develops long-term solutions to poverty, and campaigns for social change."

Habit for Humanity. International.

Made my yearly donation to Habitat for Humanity.

Humane Society & SPCA

Made a donation to the Pasadena Humane Society and SPCA.  I am so glad they are there to take care of stray animals.
  I donate to this shelter at least once a year.

Mexican CHEESE Farmer from Kiva

Made a Kiva loan

Elias is a small Mexican farmer who produces and sells cheese for a living. He decided to purchase a 120-cubic-meter Sistema Biobolsa biodigester in order to reduce the high energy costs, which were threatening the existence of the business itself. 
By purchasing the biodigester, he will not have to externally buy the expensive propane needed for cooling and other purposes anymore. He will be able to fully integrate biogas production in the natural cycle of his business. By using the Sistema Biobolsa waste-to-energy solution, Elias will take full advantage of the large quantities of manure his animals produce every day. The biodigester is a strategic acquisition for Elias and will allow his cheese producing activity to flourish. 
This loan represents 22% of the total cost of the Sistema Biobolsa biodigester.

Kiva to Iraq

Made a Kiva loan to Iraq.

Shaima, a 38 year old mother of four, is an attorney and civil-society activist with twelve years of professional experience. She has participated in many activities with local NGOs and international agencies, and works in a clinic that provides legal aid for women survivors of domestic violence.

Shaima identified an entrepreneurial opportunity when she noticed a lack of sufficient hotel options to accommodate the increase of tourists in her Iraqi hometown. Although the tourism market in Shaima’s conservative community is generally run by men, she bravely penetrated this male-dominated business world and opened a small motel in June 2013. Her self-confidence and her family’s support were key elements in making this decision. Shaima’s business has improved her family’s economic situation and, in turn, their quality of life. Moreover, her business has created job opportunities for five community members. Shaima expects this number to increase as her business flourishes.

Wikipedia

I made a donation to Wikipedia today. My father asks me to, he uses it all the time. And he doesn't have a US credit card and asks me to donate for him.
 I am glad to donate to Wikipedia because I am glad they exist.

Security Deposit

I helped Tracey with some funds she needs for a security deposit.  She's not asking for much but it will allow her to move into a place and she's been homeless for over a year.

http://www.benevolent.net/need.html?needid=892

Kiva Zip loan for CHOCOLATE

Another worthwhile story.
Love helping local people.

Personal Story

I grew up in the mean and beautiful streets of Los Angeles, California with my six other siblings, and boy it was an adventure! Being the eldest girl came with a lot of unwanted responsibility but unbeknownst to me this shaped who I am today. I take charge, risk and responsibility to do what I love.

I've been cooking, baking and creating sweet goods and chocolate confections for over thirty years. It's such second nature, I feel I can do it with my eyes closed. I've raised three wonderful children with my husband of 26 years, who passed away in 2006 due to complications with congestive heart failure. My husband was a great provider but needed to be cared for as well. Without questions, I put everything on hold to do so. Now it is my time to manifest my dreams.

My dream is to own and operate my own chocolate confection company. That would also include a thriving internet web site, a charming store front and the ability to successfully share my vision worldwide. I was able to display my talents recently at a friend's wedding. I took care of all her center pieces and thank you gifts. Her guest loved everything so much they started calling me to provide chocolate confections for other events. That's when I figured out I was sitting on an excellent business idea!

Business Description

My business provides delicious chocolate confections and gifts for any and all occasions. I saw there was a need for a business like mine when I would try to find unique and beautiful gifts, and could not find anything out of the ordinary. I would make chocolate and combined it with a customized gift or theme. Everybody who saw my gifts loved the idea so much they became my loyal customers.

In December, 2013, J Kirs Chocolates was re-launched. My biggest challenge is getting the exposure I need for this company to be highly successful. Thanks to word of mouth by my friends and family, I have a strong customer base. Hopefully, with a little help I can continue to knock out some goals. My goal is to operate on a much larger scale with staff, equipment, and a store front or commercial kitchen for my chocolate creations.

What is the purpose of this loan?

A loan from the Kiva Zip program would help to expedite the growth of J Kris Chocolates to the next level. Funding will help with payroll, kitchen rental expenses, marketing, and equipment, including chocolate melters, a popcorn popper, stackable racks, a labeling system for product ingredients, and bar coding system.