Last edit by: wilsnunn
The FlyerTalk Lending Team on Kiva:
improving lives a small loan at a time.
Kiva.org is the not-for-profit microlending organization that networks people willing to lend to small entrepreneurs in developing nations using available technology and international networking / collaboration, and how Kiva.org had become an approved FlyerTalk charity thanks to TalkBoard's approval June 29, 2008 <link> It is listed on the FlyerTalk Cares page.improving lives a small loan at a time.
"Kiva is a grassroots project started by a team with a big idea: one-to-one, real-time lending to the poor via the Internet. Currently, we take no cut of the loan you make through our site -- 100% goes to the entrepreneur. We suggest a 10% donation, in addition to your loan, to help us cover our costs. Kiva is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and your donation is tax-deductible for US taxpayers." (Suggested donations for administrative overhead, low though that is, are not required - you may lend 100% if you so choose.)
As of 15 May 2016 it was 607 FlyerTalk lending team who have lent $2,209,175 in 37,092 loans! And now as of 30 June 2019 it is 941 members who have lent $6,415,775 in 71,722 loans!
Our motto is: "We loan because: We want to fight global poverty while earning miles."
This is tangible evidence Flyertalk Cares! There are likely other FlyerTalkers on Kiva who have not joined - if you are one of them, do so now to show your and FT's support and involvement. If you haven't lent yet, check it out - you may want to join up. For the low-income entrepreneurs on five continents who are requesting loans, microlending is significant - and it takes a lot of drops to fill the bucket. (Read on to see updates!)
Now, we can see this sophisticated network link resources from those who can lend (no interest, sorry!) with those who are needy, worthy and screened by local NGOs and have a need to start / expand their small business to enhance their and their families' survival. And, using PayPal and your FFP/FFG linked card or account, you can earn miles or points with many loans!
FlyerTalkers are lending, and fulfilling one of FT's seminal values, that of "paying it forward."
Read more about Kiva.org, who supports and enables it (Intel, Google, Paypal, Intuit and many others,) and see if you have $25.00 (or more) you can lend someone deserving in a land you have visited and enjoyed (or not.)
This is how it works:
Add your experiences here, or if you haven't joined... won't you consider joining the FlyerTalker Lending Team?
You can see who the latest FT borrowers are (some still possibly needing loans) here
For ease, you can click here: Subscribe to FlyerTalker Lending Team on Kiva.org
FlyerTalker Lending Team on Kiva.org!
#481
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,417
Hope y'all don't mind, but I decided jump on the bandwagon.
I just joined Kiva today and added myself the FlyerTalk team. To kick things off, I've followed suit and made 8 new loans as well.
#482
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Yiron, Israel
Programs: Bates Motel Plat
Posts: 68,927
I most definitely do not mind. In fact, I am waiting for someone to one-up me and start a "12 Days of Christmas" drive.
#483
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,417
Based on your suggestion, I've gone in and made an additional 4 loans. So now I have both Hanukkah and Christmas covered!
#484
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: mountains of western NC
Programs: Life, Love and Laughter
Posts: 8,537
Already got your idea covered. Made 8 loans Thanksgiving week and 4 loans during Hanukkah.
and now the team is very close to 75 K !
and now the team is very close to 75 K !
Last edited by onthego15; Dec 9, 2010 at 5:01 pm Reason: more info
#485
Moderator, SkyTeam and Germany
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: FRA/STR/NUE
Programs: BA, LH, KL, EY, IHG, Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, Radisson
Posts: 5,946
After reading a lot of material about KIVA I've done my first 9 loans with 25$ each today.
I'll see how that develops and report back to you.
I'll see how that develops and report back to you.
#486
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Yiron, Israel
Programs: Bates Motel Plat
Posts: 68,927
On one hand, I suggested that the 8 days of Hanukka be extended to the 12 days of Christmas and others took me up on it.
On the other hand, how can I, a good Jewish boy in Israel go around making Christmas loans?
But, as Anne Hathaway said when she wanted to get married, "where there's a Will, there's a way."
There is another man from the Galilee, who undoubtedly will wind up being worshipped by billions of people throughout the world, and whose birthday falls in December.
Therefore, I have added the four additional loans in his honor, and, as I know he would prefer, chose women for each of them. Also, to make Giblet's holiday season complete, three of the four are from Cambodia.
#487
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ICT
Programs: AA ExP
Posts: 1,860
Hey guys, Groupon has a great deal where you pay $15 and Kiva gets $25! Groupon and other donors are funding the difference (up to $500,000). Let's hop on this! The whole FT team should do this for sure (I wonder if an admin of the FT team can send a message to everyone?), and this would be a great time to persuade other FT friends to hop on board!
#488
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: mountains of western NC
Programs: Life, Love and Laughter
Posts: 8,537
Hey, it's Dov's birthday, so I made my lucky 13th loan in the past month, and the team now has made $75,000 in loans.
Happy Birthday Dov!
I would have made a loan to Israel if any had been available.
Shalom.
Happy Birthday Dov!
I would have made a loan to Israel if any had been available.
Shalom.
#489
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Twilight Zone
Programs: One Star 'n Sky
Posts: 1,200
Team FlyerTalkers update:
Number of Team Members 204
Number of Loans 2,475
Total Amount Loaned $75,000
#490
Join Date: May 2009
Location: GLA
Posts: 1,214
I can only imagine that there are three attractive Khmer businesswomen who are very happy right now.
#491
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Yiron, Israel
Programs: Bates Motel Plat
Posts: 68,927
Giblet, please feel free to send them here for a visit -- but make certain that they don't wear too much make-up, especially rouge. I have never liked Khmer Rouge.
#492
Join Date: May 2010
Location: BNA
Programs: No preference
Posts: 1,176
Groupon Nashville - $15 for $25 worth of credit to Kiva.org
#493
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,417
I just picked one up from the Groupon Boston "site"... ^
I just read through the fine print - just wanted to pass along one piece that caught my eye. As the loan is repaid, it first gets credited back towards the $15 you put chipped in. Assuming the loan gets repaid further, it then goes toward the $10 promotional value chipped in by Groupon/other sponsors. However, only the $15 will go back to your account as Kiva credit. Anything repaid above your initial $15 outlay will go back to Kiva instead.
(I think that's certainly fair...just wanted to make people aware, though, in case they thought they'd be repaid up to the $25 loan amount.)
I just read through the fine print - just wanted to pass along one piece that caught my eye. As the loan is repaid, it first gets credited back towards the $15 you put chipped in. Assuming the loan gets repaid further, it then goes toward the $10 promotional value chipped in by Groupon/other sponsors. However, only the $15 will go back to your account as Kiva credit. Anything repaid above your initial $15 outlay will go back to Kiva instead.
(I think that's certainly fair...just wanted to make people aware, though, in case they thought they'd be repaid up to the $25 loan amount.)
#494
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: YVR
Programs: AC Aeroplan,Delta Skymiles, Avion
Posts: 451
I just picked one up from the Groupon Boston "site"... ^
I just read through the fine print - just wanted to pass along one piece that caught my eye. As the loan is repaid, it first gets credited back towards the $15 you put chipped in. Assuming the loan gets repaid further, it then goes toward the $10 promotional value chipped in by Groupon/other sponsors. However, only the $15 will go back to your account as Kiva credit. Anything repaid above your initial $15 outlay will go back to Kiva instead.
(I think that's certainly fair...just wanted to make people aware, though, in case they thought they'd be repaid up to the $25 loan amount.)
I just read through the fine print - just wanted to pass along one piece that caught my eye. As the loan is repaid, it first gets credited back towards the $15 you put chipped in. Assuming the loan gets repaid further, it then goes toward the $10 promotional value chipped in by Groupon/other sponsors. However, only the $15 will go back to your account as Kiva credit. Anything repaid above your initial $15 outlay will go back to Kiva instead.
(I think that's certainly fair...just wanted to make people aware, though, in case they thought they'd be repaid up to the $25 loan amount.)
#495
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ICT
Programs: AA ExP
Posts: 1,860
Well, I just joined up and loaned wildly. Kiva's something I've been wanting to do for a long time, but never really got around to it. I had been waiting for my Groupons to process (they're still not done), but I decided to just go ahead and take the plunge.