Kiva loans to Julia's

Found two Julias to lend to today, Juliana Dzikumu is a fishmonger in Cape Coast, Ghana, and there is a Julia in the Adela Calderon Rodriguez's Group ( Julia Cabezas Huaman) from Peru.

I do think this is a shallow reason for choosing loans, but I also feel that all Kiva recipients are worthy, and its more fun for me than randomly selecting (which I also do sometimes).

Volunteer Week

In case you haven't heard the news, National Volunteer Week in 2008 is coming up on April 27-May 3.

Every single person I know who volunteers ends up having a fantastic time and wants to do it again. Most people are just amazed at how little they can do that means so much to so many people.

Check out Volunteer Match for things you can do in your local area, and they even have some online ways that you can help. Participate. It will do you and the world some good.

Jewlery from NOVICA through igive & the Kiva Shopping Club

Its hard to think of changing the world by buying jewelry, but purchasing through NOVICA promotes artisans from around the world getting paid a fair price. And they have beautiful things. I bought two necklaced, both silver and amythest. I bought the one pictured above because it looked like one my avatar wears in second life.

Since I am a member of igive.com and signed up for the kiva shopping club, my purchases also helped Kiva loans. I have the toolbar set up so when I buy from an igive store my purchase are automatically recorded.

Julia loans at Kiva

I funded two Julia's today - Julia Ticona Bautista from La Paz, Bolivia and Julia Margarita Reyes in the Doña Ana community of San Cristobal, Dominican Republic.

Whole Planet Foundation

I donated to the Whole Planet Foundation today when I was checking out of Whole Foods Market. My small donation didn't add much to my bill, but it looks like our collective donations have made over $4 million in loans. Its amazing what we can do when we all add a bit.

Whole Planet Foundation, a private, nonprofit organization established by Whole Foods Market, provides grants to microfinance institutions in Latin America, Africa and Asia who in turn develop and offer microenterprise loan programs, training and other financial services to the self-employed poor.

Kiva in Peru

I loaned money to Francisca Ricra in Peru to help her with her business. She dreams of owing a mini-mart some day.

Group loans through Kiva

I lent to to large groups today through Kiva, to the BENDECIDAS 2 Group in Mexico for their crafts, and to the mistad Group in Peru.

Fair Trade Coffee Subscription

Just want to update about the Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie, a great place to get fair trade coffee delivered right to your door.

The roasteris 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.

Their level of service is very impressive. At the beginning of my subscription I didn't order enough and ran out a few times, and they quickly responded and gave me rush service. One time I even got a free pound.

So this company is HIGHLY recommended

Helping Julica, Peru

I made a loan to Lucía Sucasaca Roque. She moved to Julica and has opened a grocery store, and now wants to expand to include fruits and vegetables. I'm sure this loan will have a big impact on her business, as well as on the local community.

kiva loans

Made three new Kiva loans today, using Kiva credits from past lenders.

Antoinette Yeye in Cotonou, Benin wants a loan to increase her restaurant business, she makes ready-made meals.

The Ternura Group is in Ayacucho, Peru and is a group of women (one called Julia) who want money for various enterprises. Since they all guarantee each other, I can be assured the money will get paid back.

The last loan I made was to Mexico, I thought about the Agents of Change and how I am trying to keep a significant part of my portfolio in Mexican loans 'cause they are close. So I chose a loan that was almost funded, to Cleotilde De La Rosa Mendoza for her concrete fence.

Kiva & Obama

I ran another Obama phone bank today for 5 hours, trained many people and we made many phone calls. The campaign passed its million phone call goal, and its million volunteer supporter goal. I no longer feel so alone :}

I made a Kiva loan, thanks to Kay. Emilia Condori Cheje in Peru wanted money to expand her clothing

kiva loans

I got a few loans redeemed so reinvested in our world.
I chose the first one because it was the first I saw and noone else had bid yet. Its to Mursal, who wants to be able to purchase the electrical supplies he uses himself and charge the home owner, rather than have them buy it. Sounds like good business. I must say I find it strange to see how the adds justify why he wants more money. Eg.
Mursal, the father of a girl, works as an electrician (home installation technician). Through his work he has been able to support his wife and child. Nonetheless, he wants to increase his earnings.

Here in North America its the norm to want to make more money, and its totally ok to want a better life.

I also made a loan to a women's group in Uganda. It was one of the oldest loans. I wish them all success.

I'm off to run a Get Out the Vote party here in Pasadena for OBAMA. If anyone wants to make phone calls to Texas today, come on by!

Julia in Guatemala

Found a loan to a Julia in Kiva today - in a group from Guatemala from one of my favorite Micro finance institution.

The majority of the 28 women are artisans, born and raised in a region known for its beautiful weavings. Of the 28 women, 11 are asking for a loan of 32,500 quetzales ($4,275), ranging from $300 to $400 per person. All of these women will invest their loans in weaving and embroidery businesses, purchasing thread and fabric for intricate huipiles (traditional woven blouses, like the ones in the picture), skirts, scarves, and blankets. The supplies they purchase come from the nearby town of Santiago de Atitlán. One woman also sells firewood, the main source of fuel in the area, to supplement her weaving business. She will use about 25% of her loan to invest in firewood.

kiva

My kiva loan today:

Mrs. Sandra Souza is a member of the “Las Perlas de Pucallpa” communal bank, located on Jr. Santa Rosa N° 181, Calleria district, in the Ucayali department. Sandra is a 48-year-old mother of two. She decided to invest the first loan of S/ 300 soles that she received from Manuela Ramos in the purchase and sale of sports uniforms.

She still owns that sports uniform business, which she operates from the office of the Sports Institute, especially for karate practitioners.

With this loan of S/ 1,700 soles, which she will repay in 5 months, she will purchase more uniforms for different types of sports.

Sandra is planning on setting up a sports uniform store, and she is very grateful for the support that she receives from Manuela Ramos.

Helping Guatemalan Women via KIVA

My loan today was to the "Las Trabajadoras Tolimán" group, Guatemalan women from the the San Gregorio neighborhood in San Lucas Tolimán, Sololá. This group of women is sure to pay the loan back, and it will help the community in so many ways.

Some of the women will use the money to purchase products to restock their stores, such as eggs, sugar, salt, soap, and detergent. Others will invest in corn, beans, and coffee in bulk, which they will then sell to their communities. The rest will go towards colorful threads and fabric to make their weavings.

The dream of the women of Las Trabajadoras Tolimán is to provide as best they can for their children. They are overcoming their hardships and determined to provide an education for their children, in order that they can have a better future.

I think Kiva is going to have a significant effect on the next generation.

Project Angel Food

It always bugs me that I live in a rich country where most people eat too much, and an incredible amount of food is wasted, yet many, many people go hungry.

I donated today to Project Angel Food, a local non-profit.

Project Angel Food's mission is to nourish the body and
spirit of men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS
and other serious illnesses.

From our kitchen, Project Angel Food cooks and delivers
free and nutritious meals prepared with love.

We act out of a sense of urgency because hunger and illness do not wait.

Green Dimes

I just signed up with Green Dimes to eliminate unwanted junk mail. It costs $20, and comes recommended by a kivafriend. So I'm going to give it a try. I'll keep you posted...

Oxfam

I'm back from Europe.

I renewed my membership to Oxfam today. I am still impressed with how much they help make people's lives better. They hare responded to many recent emergencies, much quicker and more effective than governments.

Kiva loan to a Julia in the Dominican Republic

I found another Julia to loan to today on Kiva - Julia Moreno Araujo is borrowing money for stock for her jewelry store.

Kiva - lending money and changing lives

I used a Kiva credit for a loan to the 'oldest' Kiva loan, to Salomatkhon Nemonova in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. She wants to expand her business by buying flour, sugar and oil. Sounds like staples to me.