In 2012 alone, migrant workers around the world sent over $400 billion back home. Unfortunately, sending money isn’t as cheap and clear-cut as you might think. On average, remittance services cost 8.96% of the amount being sent -- which is a lot given that most migrant workers don't make a lot to begin with. Notably, costs of remittances have traditionally been highest in Africa -- undoubtedly, one of the places where the money is needed most. In 2012, about $60 billion was sent to Africa in remittances at an average transaction cost of 11.89%. This means... Continue Reading >
Feb 8, 2013
Kiva HQ
In 2012 alone, migrant workers around the world sent over $400 billion back home. Unfortunately, sending money isn’t as cheap and clear-cut as you might think. On average, remittance services cost 8.96% of the amount being sent -- which is a lot given that most migrant workers don't make a lot to begin with. Notably, costs of remittances have traditionally been highest in Africa -- undoubtedly, one of the places where the money is needed most. In 2012, about $60 billion was sent to Africa in remittances at an average transaction cost of 11.89%. This means... Continue Reading >
In 2012 alone, migrant workers around the world sent over $400 billion back home. Unfortunately, sending money isn’t as cheap and clear-cut as you might think. On average, remittance services cost 8.96% of the amount being sent -- which is a lot given that most migrant workers don't make a lot to begin with. Notably, costs of remittances have traditionally been highest in Africa -- undoubtedly, one of the places where the money is needed most. In 2012, about $60 billion was sent to Africa in remittances at an average transaction cost of 11.89%. This means... Continue Reading >
Feb 7, 2013
Kiva HQ
As part of our recent Kiva Insights Call, our community submitted additional questions through lending teams, and we wanted to take the time to answer the most popular questions below. Thanks again to everyone who participated; we always love to hear from you! Q: How is Kiva making less popular loans more attractive, and what kind of feedback does Kiva provide Field Partners to help fund loans? A: There are a few ways we work to highlight loans that may be less popular or in need of support. To start, we try to work with our Field Partners to help them... Continue Reading >
As part of our recent Kiva Insights Call, our community submitted additional questions through lending teams, and we wanted to take the time to answer the most popular questions below. Thanks again to everyone who participated; we always love to hear from you! Q: How is Kiva making less popular loans more attractive, and what kind of feedback does Kiva provide Field Partners to help fund loans? A: There are a few ways we work to highlight loans that may be less popular or in need of support. To start, we try to work with our Field Partners to help them... Continue Reading >
Feb 7, 2013
Kiva HQ
Despite the many efforts and programs in the developing world, girls are still largely disadvantaged. In general, they tend to have less access to education and fewer social and economic opportunities than their male counterparts. One significant indicator of the well-being of adolescent girls is child marriage. While this is an issue that can also effect boys, it's impact on girls is hugely disproportionate. Reasons for child marriage range from economic to social. In many cases, girls are married off at an early age to reduce the family’s financial burden. Not... Continue Reading >
Despite the many efforts and programs in the developing world, girls are still largely disadvantaged. In general, they tend to have less access to education and fewer social and economic opportunities than their male counterparts. One significant indicator of the well-being of adolescent girls is child marriage. While this is an issue that can also effect boys, it's impact on girls is hugely disproportionate. Reasons for child marriage range from economic to social. In many cases, girls are married off at an early age to reduce the family’s financial burden. Not... Continue Reading >
Feb 5, 2013
Kiva HQ
Team message boards update! For all you awesome lending team members, we've made a number of improvements to the team message boards: 1) Team captains can now post featured messages to communicate important events, goals, initiatives, etc. The featured message will be highlighted as the first post on message boards and will also appear at the beginning of nightly digest emails.
2) We’ve added a panel on the right side to show loans that this team has recently talked about. You can also skip to...
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Feb 5, 2013
Kiva HQ
Strathmore University is one of the leading private universities in Kenya. And in January of 2012, it became Kiva’s first university partner -- allowing lenders to make loans to low-income students for tuition and other supplies. Securing tuition fees is a major challenge for many Strathmore students, and every year, about a third of accepted applicants are unable to enroll because they don't have the money. We're proud to be changing this picture one loan at a time. Last week, Strathmore held its 9th Annual Career Fair. Altogether, 31 organizations from various sectors,... Continue Reading >
Strathmore University is one of the leading private universities in Kenya. And in January of 2012, it became Kiva’s first university partner -- allowing lenders to make loans to low-income students for tuition and other supplies. Securing tuition fees is a major challenge for many Strathmore students, and every year, about a third of accepted applicants are unable to enroll because they don't have the money. We're proud to be changing this picture one loan at a time. Last week, Strathmore held its 9th Annual Career Fair. Altogether, 31 organizations from various sectors,... Continue Reading >
Feb 5, 2013
Kiva HQ
Do you remember your first class in world geography? At some point you were probably taught that Africa is a continent, the Niles is the longest river, and that Russia is the largest country. But it’s pretty unlikely your teacher ever mentioned anything about Central Asia, and in particular Tajikistan. In fact, this tiny country (roughly the size of Wisconsin), although unique historically and culturally, remains a mystery to most of the Western world. Bordering Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and China, Tajikistan is made up of a fragile patchwork of more than a dozen ethnic... Continue Reading >
Do you remember your first class in world geography? At some point you were probably taught that Africa is a continent, the Niles is the longest river, and that Russia is the largest country. But it’s pretty unlikely your teacher ever mentioned anything about Central Asia, and in particular Tajikistan. In fact, this tiny country (roughly the size of Wisconsin), although unique historically and culturally, remains a mystery to most of the Western world. Bordering Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and China, Tajikistan is made up of a fragile patchwork of more than a dozen ethnic... Continue Reading >
Feb 4, 2013
Kiva HQ
Every year on New Year’s Eve, the WIN/Gallup International Association publishes The Global Barometer of Hope and Happiness. This survey has been conducted every year since 1977, and last year, a total of 55,817 people were interviewed in 54 countries. The Global Barometer of Hope and Happiness measures exactly what it says it does: people’s overall opinion on economic prospects, as well as their personal levels of happiness, in all parts of the world. The survey published at year-end 2012 suggests that overall global economic hope is on the rise! In 2011, global economic hope... Continue Reading >
Every year on New Year’s Eve, the WIN/Gallup International Association publishes The Global Barometer of Hope and Happiness. This survey has been conducted every year since 1977, and last year, a total of 55,817 people were interviewed in 54 countries. The Global Barometer of Hope and Happiness measures exactly what it says it does: people’s overall opinion on economic prospects, as well as their personal levels of happiness, in all parts of the world. The survey published at year-end 2012 suggests that overall global economic hope is on the rise! In 2011, global economic hope... Continue Reading >
Feb 4, 2013
Kiva HQ
Minor or routine surgery is a regularly available health option for many of us. But for the 1.3 billion people living on less that US$1.25 per day, there is no such thing as disposable income... Continue Reading >
Minor or routine surgery is a regularly available health option for many of us. But for the 1.3 billion people living on less that US$1.25 per day, there is no such thing as disposable income... Continue Reading >
Jan 31, 2013
Kiva HQ
We are now in Jerusalem and we’re thrilled to welcome Jerusalem Interest-free Microfinance Fund as our new Field Partner! Is it possible to help the poor establish businesses while at the same time building peace among different communities? You might have doubts about it, but four men representing the Muslim and Jewish communities who truly believe in cross-communal initiatives are achieving this goal through the Jerusalem Interest-free Microfinance Fund (JIMF). These Muslim and Jewish men founded the organization together in 2008. Based in the UK, JIMF provides... Continue Reading >
We are now in Jerusalem and we’re thrilled to welcome Jerusalem Interest-free Microfinance Fund as our new Field Partner! Is it possible to help the poor establish businesses while at the same time building peace among different communities? You might have doubts about it, but four men representing the Muslim and Jewish communities who truly believe in cross-communal initiatives are achieving this goal through the Jerusalem Interest-free Microfinance Fund (JIMF). These Muslim and Jewish men founded the organization together in 2008. Based in the UK, JIMF provides... Continue Reading >
Jan 30, 2013
Kiva HQ
We're passionate about empowering young women to reach their full potential. Last year Kiva started offering loans to girls through BRAC Uganda's Empowerment and Livelihood for Adolescents (ELA) Program. In addition to credit for older participants to become entrepreneurs, this program includes training in life skills, support groups and clubs, business development training and more. Today, more than 1,000 ELA clubs reach over 40,000 woman. So we were thrilled to spot a recent post on BRAC's blog about some of the incredible impact results from the ELA program. Full... Continue Reading >
We're passionate about empowering young women to reach their full potential. Last year Kiva started offering loans to girls through BRAC Uganda's Empowerment and Livelihood for Adolescents (ELA) Program. In addition to credit for older participants to become entrepreneurs, this program includes training in life skills, support groups and clubs, business development training and more. Today, more than 1,000 ELA clubs reach over 40,000 woman. So we were thrilled to spot a recent post on BRAC's blog about some of the incredible impact results from the ELA program. Full... Continue Reading >