Dec 20, 2015, 4:45 am
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!
Jan 1, 2011, 11:30 am
#541
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: New York, NY USA
Posts: 284
I'm kicking off the new year with 6 new loans for the FT team - a diverse group including a dairy farmer in Iraq, a furniture maker in Tajikistan, a fisherman in Cambodia, a nuts and sweets street vendor in Chile, a sheep farmer in Kenya, and a scrap metal vendor in Nicaragua. 
Jan 1, 2011, 4:38 pm
#542
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
After snatching a lonely $100 loan a couple of days ago, I was able to make some ~16 loans today. Now that loans are back, I've added my promised $500 for the FlyerTalk Lending Team. Great way to start a new year, friends!
Jan 10, 2011, 4:06 am
#546
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,182
The Starmegado made its 70th loan today! Busy churning the two 500$ donations made from SMD I & II 
http://www.kiva.org/lender/starmegado2009
http://www.kiva.org/lender/starmegado2009
Jan 11, 2011, 10:07 pm
#547
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Very nice, oliver2002!
Add that and the FlyerTalk Lending Team's
212 members
$88,425 in 2,853 loans
Common Interest
and we are talking some good loans!
Add that and the FlyerTalk Lending Team's
212 members
$88,425 in 2,853 loans
Common Interest
and we are talking some good loans!
Jan 12, 2011, 6:00 am
#548
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Vancouver, BC
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, FB Plat, AS Gold, Marriott Gold, Fairmont Plat, BA wannabe
Posts: 684
New member
A brand new member here (#213) 13 loans funded today!
Thanks to all for supporting JDiver's great idea.
Thanks to all for supporting JDiver's great idea.
Last edited by fishferbrains; Jan 12, 2011 at 6:22 am
Jan 24, 2011, 2:05 am
#551
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,182
Discovered we had 150$ on hand again, quickly recycled them all. The next 6 months are going to yield more:
Go team FT! The SMD Kiva page: http://www.kiva.org/lender/starmegado2009
Code:
Due Scheduled Loans 2011-2 $142.29 50 2011-3 $166.38 49 2011-4 $105.44 44 2011-5 $123.60 42 2011-6 $88.10 39 2011-7 $125.04 34 2011-8 $88.86 31
Jan 26, 2011, 8:03 pm
#552
Join Date: May 2009
Location: GLA
Posts: 1,214
A few days ago a lot of you probably got a letter from Kiva (from me) to thank you for making a loan to a MAXIMA entrepreneur in Cambodia. I had a lot more to say so I posted the whole thing on my blog here.
Also, earlier this month the president of Kiva, Premal Shah, visited Phnom Penh. I was lucky enough to have dinner with him and got to tell him about the FlyerTalkers lending team. He was thrilled when he heard about our team and what we do, and was blown away when he heard that JDiver had used his miles to send me to Cambodia. He also had a lot of questions about collecting miles, so we may have a new recruit on the boards...
Anyway, keep up the good work. Even the president of Kiva is impressed!
Also, earlier this month the president of Kiva, Premal Shah, visited Phnom Penh. I was lucky enough to have dinner with him and got to tell him about the FlyerTalkers lending team. He was thrilled when he heard about our team and what we do, and was blown away when he heard that JDiver had used his miles to send me to Cambodia. He also had a lot of questions about collecting miles, so we may have a new recruit on the boards...
Anyway, keep up the good work. Even the president of Kiva is impressed!
Jan 27, 2011, 1:33 am
#554
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Thanks for sharing and keeping us apprised, giblet!
I just added $100 in loans from Hong Kong... the team is up to 2,972 loans, totaling $91,775; $100,000 is just around the bend! Go team!
I just added $100 in loans from Hong Kong... the team is up to 2,972 loans, totaling $91,775; $100,000 is just around the bend! Go team!