My birthday was fast approaching and I was having an emergency.
I had nothing to wear.
This might seem like a small problem, but here in Colombia, the “rumba” – the party – reigns supreme and if you don’t look fabulous, you might as well stay home. Besides, my birthday was to fall on a Saturday, an astrological phenomenon that cannot be taken for granted. The 23rd of June must be...
Stories tagged with Colombia
Jun 6, 2018
Colombia
May 5, 2016
Colombia
After visiting over 20 Kiva borrowers throughout Colombia, I have met many different people – young, experienced, women, men, city-dwellers, rural farmers, and so on. Although each one of my visits has been unique, one thing remains constant: every borrower I have met has been impressively entrepreneurial and tenacious. I leave every visit feeling inspired and humbled not only by what the borrowers have achieved and overcome, but also by their motivations for becoming entrepreneurs.
Below are three of many remarkable Colombian entrepreneurs who work with Interactuar, a Kiva... Continue Reading >>
Below are three of many remarkable Colombian entrepreneurs who work with Interactuar, a Kiva... Continue Reading >>
Mar 3, 2016
Colombia
During my recent visits with borrowers from Fundación Mario Santo Domingo (FMSD), a Kiva Field Partner based in the Coastal Region of Colombia, I was fortunate enough to meet Miriam, an innovative craftsperson, mother of two, and vivacious conversationalist. Miriam has officially been in business making handbags, skirts, hair accessories, and other products for about 20 years in Cartagena de Indias, but she has been honing her craft for an impressive 42 years, since childhood.
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Sep 9, 2014
Colombia
After spending 3 great months with Interactuar in Medellin, I never would have imagined I´d have the privilege to meet these three Colombian Kiva borrowers with such unique businesses. Not only are Interactuar´s mission, microfinance products and business development services outstanding, they serve some of Colombia´s hardestworking and kind people working to provide for their families...and the families of their neighbors. Allow me to introduce you to three Colombians I´ll never forget.
After spending 3 great months with Interactuar in Medellin, I never would have imagined I´d have the privilege to meet these three Colombian Kiva borrowers with such unique businesses. Not only are Interactuar´s mission, microfinance products and business development services outstanding, they serve some of Colombia´s hardestworking and kind people working to provide for their families...and the families of their neighbors. Allow me to introduce you to three Colombians I´ll never forget.
...
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Sep 9, 2014
Colombia
A key component of Kiva's efforts to connect people throughout the world is to partner with trustworthy and high-impact organizations. While there are many notable microfinance institutions, not all meet Kiva's standards of being a Kiva Field Partner.
Not Just Microcredit Kiva Field Partners go beyond providing sustainable microcredit services. In order to highlight their outstanding efforts to serve their community's needs, Kiva created the Social Performance Badges. Using the Social Performance Task Force's ... Continue Reading >>
A key component of Kiva's efforts to connect people throughout the world is to partner with trustworthy and high-impact organizations. While there are many notable microfinance institutions, not all meet Kiva's standards of being a Kiva Field Partner.
Not Just Microcredit Kiva Field Partners go beyond providing sustainable microcredit services. In order to highlight their outstanding efforts to serve their community's needs, Kiva created the Social Performance Badges. Using the Social Performance Task Force's ... Continue Reading >>
Aug 8, 2014
Colombia
For the last 57 years Medellin has celebrated los silleteros (pictured above), the men and women who used to carry people and cargo on their backs on chairs, including carrying the sick to doctors. Los silleteros are celebrated at the 10 day Feria de Las Flores (Festival of Flowers), which proved once again that Colombians know how to dance, eat, celebrate their culture and work hard.
On any given day of the Festival of Flowers you could find at least 20 events, exhibits or concerts occuring all... Continue Reading >>
For the last 57 years Medellin has celebrated los silleteros (pictured above), the men and women who used to carry people and cargo on their backs on chairs, including carrying the sick to doctors. Los silleteros are celebrated at the 10 day Feria de Las Flores (Festival of Flowers), which proved once again that Colombians know how to dance, eat, celebrate their culture and work hard.
On any given day of the Festival of Flowers you could find at least 20 events, exhibits or concerts occuring all... Continue Reading >>
Jan 1, 2014
Colombia
Christmas away from home is bittersweet. As much as I enjoy experiencing new holiday traditions in a foreign country (I was pleased to note that Colombia has many more Christmas lights and fewer jingles), I found myself missing home for the first time as a Kiva Fellow. So, naturally, my immediate reaction was to travel. Big festival in the “Salsa Capital of the World”? Yes, please.... Continue Reading >>
Dec 12, 2013
Global Update
For much of the world, food is fuel. But far more than mere sustenance, food draws us together. It slows our pace and brightens each day. Calling upon all five senses, cusine...
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Nov 11, 2013
Albania, Brazil, Colombia, Germany, Haiti
As surprised as my family and friends were when I told them that I’m heading off to Kyrgyzstan, that’s about as surprised as my Kiva colleagues were when they found out that I’m also heading to Frankfurt, for a portion of my Kiva Fellowship.
At first pass, Germany doesn’t seem like a country that would fit with Kiva’s non-profit microfinance orientation and mission statement. Yet, in Frankfurt, one of the world’s prominent financial centres, an innovative start-up and recent Kiva Field Partner, Yunus Social Business (“YSB”), is pushing the envelope of social business investing,... Continue Reading >>
At first pass, Germany doesn’t seem like a country that would fit with Kiva’s non-profit microfinance orientation and mission statement. Yet, in Frankfurt, one of the world’s prominent financial centres, an innovative start-up and recent Kiva Field Partner, Yunus Social Business (“YSB”), is pushing the envelope of social business investing,... Continue Reading >>
Oct 10, 2013
Colombia
When Medellin beat New York and Tel Aviv this year for Wall Street Journal’s “Innovative City of the Year”, news articles reminded everyone of the long way Medellin has come from its dark past as the playground for Pablo Escobar’s drug trade and violent crimes. While this is true, Medellin’s forward thinking spirit should become Medellin's defining characteristic. Medellin has transformed into a city with low crime rates, delicious tap water, a free bike sharing system, and a new metro system. All of this was accomplished by focusing on the future rather than dwelling too much in the past.... Continue Reading >>