I'm pretty certain the field 'partners' get their cut and don't have such a high default rate. As I curate these 1000$ once collected at two FT events I have no personal stake in it, but it really bugs me how Kiva & co harp on about helping the downtrodden, but when things go south they offload the entire damage to the people who fund them.

Speaking of US loans, today while relending 50$ I came across this request: http://www.kiva.org/lend/984755

This applicant clearly works her butt off in 2-3 jobs and still doesn't realise that taking part in pyramid retail schemes is a stupid idea.