Kiva is an on-line lending platform connecting lenders to entrepreneurs across the globe. Kiva means "unity" in Swahili. These are "loans" that are paid back. This is a self-sustaining ministry. Our team meets quarterly to allocate these loans. Visit their website KIVA.

The KIVA loan team made 4 new loans this October 2023. Their stories are told here.  

OCTOBER 2023 Recipients

Rami's story Bethlehem, West Bank in Palestine

He is 43 and lives with his family. He Rami, is a hardworking refugee who tries his utmost to help his family live a decent life. He works in the construction field, which is hard work and requires a lot of effort. He turned to Palestine for Credit and Development FATEN to request a loan to buy construction equipment. This equipment will improve his work and enhance his income. He hopes you will help by funding his loan.

María Magdalena's story - Bajos de Montecristi in Ecuador

Maria and her family live in the Bajos de Montecristi in Ecuador A place that stands out for their crafts made of toquilla straw, wicker, piquigua, and wood, fine toquilla straw hats, recognized around the world as “Panama Hats”, well known throughout the country and abroad.  At home, Maria Magdalena has a small pig farm where she works every day, feeding them and keeping them healthy. When they are grown and have a good weight, she sells them alive to merchants who come to buy them. Her children also have a wooden shop at home.  This loan is to buy small pigs, food, medicines, wood, sandpaper, paint, pay electricity bills, etc.

Sawiyah's story - Indonesia

She is pictured here with her son. Sawiyah is 41 years old and married with one son and one daughter. She and her husband run a business of handcrafts in Indonesia.  One of her children is still in school. As a mother, Sawiyah is very concerned about the education of her children. She is asking Kiva for support because she wants to pay the school fees which are in arrears, because she thinks that education is the key to a brighter and better future.  So, she has applied for a loan of 1,800,000 Indonesian rupiahs (IDR) from KBMI at Curug Branch to pay for her child's school fees in arrears. Her income is not enough to directly pay these costs, but she will be able to repay the loan received in installments using the profits generated from her business.  Sawiyah is a hardworking mother who always strives for the best for her children to improve their living conditions and provide a bright future for them to pursue their dreams. She is very grateful for the opportunity and wants to thank all the lenders.

Elbia's story -

This is Elbia, a micro-businesswoman who is happy to be able to be her own boss. She is also a pillar in her own family. Today, Elbia is the owner of an office supplies shop. Elbia knows about the work these two groups do because in the past they provided her with financial support which helped her fortify herself.  At this time, she is asking for a new Kiva loan through MiCrédito to buy 2 computers and 10 reams of paper. With this valuable investment, she will be able to provide her service to more customers and her profits increased. In addition, in the next few years, she is planning to open another office supplies store.

Previous Recipients

Petronila's story- PHILLIPHINES

Petronila is 54 years old, married and has eight children who are now adult age. For the past years, she and her husband have run a small family farm to earn a living. They grow rice plants. They have been in this livelihood for many years to support the family.  Now, she asks for a loan of PHP 10,000 through Kiva’s lending partner, CEVI-Philippines, for additional capital to buy fertilizer for their plants.

Myrna's story- PHILLIPHINES

Myrna has four children. She is a very hard-working entrepreneur. She is 51 years old and has two children who are in school. Myrna has a rice retail business in the Philippines. She requested a PHP 15,000 loan through NWTF to purchase more sacks of rice to be sold.  She has been in this business for 2 years. In the future, Myrna would like to save enough money so she could afford to send her children to college.

Emad's story - JORDAN

Emad is doing what he loves and that is why it is hard for him to let go.  Machinery rental has been his business for as long as most of the people of the town can remember. When he entered the business, there was only him in the market. With a little help, he set up a store that houses all the machinery. He knows each one thoroughly. This makes him the man to ask for help with machinery. A loan will help him get new machines and recover from the COVID-19 crisis.

Emelia's story - PHILLIPHINES 

Emelia lives in the province of Concepcion, Iloilo. She is 56 years old, married and has one dependent. To earn an income, Emelia runs various businesses like a sari-sari (variety) store, hog-raising and fishing. She has been in this business for many years now.  Emelia is asking for a loan of PHP 50,000. She will use this loan for additional capital to buy more stocks for her store. The rest of the loan will be used to buy a fishing net.  Emelia aspires to improve her business in the future and become successful.

Divina's story - PHILLIPHINES

Divina is 43 years old and married with two children in school. Divina works very hard to provide for them.  Divina runs a general store in the Philippines and requested a PHP 20,000 loan through NWTF to buy items to sell like canned goods, junk food, etc., to sell in her general store.  Divina has been in this business for 4 years and sells a variety of items.  In the future Divina would like to save enough money so she could afford to send her children to college.

Georginia's story – TIMOR LESTE

Georginia is a modest and enterprising married woman. She has a very good understanding and much experience of the general store business. She has one of her own which she has been running for many years. Her store is in an excellent spot that is easy to find and where many people always come to buy her goods every day.  Running her business has made Georginia become more independent because she can be responsible for herself, and she can also help to support her family's everyday income.