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!
Dec 25, 2012, 9:20 am
#1036
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: AMEX Plat, AAdvantage Gold, UA, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 963
Gave a $25 giftcard as part of our grab-bag present giving, went down like a lead balloon... everybody just wanted something for themselves.
Quite sad to see really.
Quite sad to see really.
Dec 25, 2012, 12:09 pm
#1037
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,449
I had a long think about doing Kiva cards this Christmas with family & friends but opted instead to mark special occasions within the year like birthdays and anniversaries. Then later when everyone is more accustomed to receiving them and hopefully onboard with Kiva after they've been converted
that disappointment factor won't be there. That's the hope & plan anyway. 
Dec 25, 2012, 9:05 pm
#1038
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
Posts: 51,051
Jan 1, 2013, 7:31 am
#1039
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Louisville, KY, USA
Posts: 2,583
And sad to hear, Matt.
I had a long think about doing Kiva cards this Christmas with family & friends but opted instead to mark special occasions within the year like birthdays and anniversaries. Then later when everyone is more accustomed to receiving them and hopefully onboard with Kiva after they've been converted that disappointment factor won't be there. That's the hope & plan anyway.
I had a long think about doing Kiva cards this Christmas with family & friends but opted instead to mark special occasions within the year like birthdays and anniversaries. Then later when everyone is more accustomed to receiving them and hopefully onboard with Kiva after they've been converted
that disappointment factor won't be there. That's the hope & plan anyway.
Jan 1, 2013, 7:55 am
#1040
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: AMEX Plat, AAdvantage Gold, UA, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 963
99% of our presents are charitable gifts, to and from parents/in laws and just a couple of house related things for us between ourselves.
Whilst the rest of the family is in on the concept of giving some of our peer generation aren't down yet, its a shame as they are recent parents and those kids get tons of wasteful gifts (from us too) so are overloaded and would hope to see the wasteful nature of things.
However, it isn't my place to force my beliefs on them, hopefully with time they will come around to our way of thinking.
Whilst the rest of the family is in on the concept of giving some of our peer generation aren't down yet, its a shame as they are recent parents and those kids get tons of wasteful gifts (from us too) so are overloaded and would hope to see the wasteful nature of things.
However, it isn't my place to force my beliefs on them, hopefully with time they will come around to our way of thinking.
Jan 1, 2013, 10:51 am
#1041
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
Posts: 51,051
99% of our presents are charitable gifts, to and from parents/in laws and just a couple of house related things for us between ourselves.
Whilst the rest of the family is in on the concept of giving some of our peer generation aren't down yet, its a shame as they are recent parents and those kids get tons of wasteful gifts (from us too) so are overloaded and would hope to see the wasteful nature of things.
However, it isn't my place to force my beliefs on them, hopefully with time they will come around to our way of thinking.
Whilst the rest of the family is in on the concept of giving some of our peer generation aren't down yet, its a shame as they are recent parents and those kids get tons of wasteful gifts (from us too) so are overloaded and would hope to see the wasteful nature of things.
However, it isn't my place to force my beliefs on them, hopefully with time they will come around to our way of thinking.
Jan 1, 2013, 1:19 pm
#1042
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: AMEX Plat, AAdvantage Gold, UA, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 963
The kids are 11 months and 24 months old respectively- the bigger kids in their late 20's and 30's (parents) were less than impressed with a kiva gift card from me so they could pick their own loans...
Jan 1, 2013, 1:42 pm
#1043
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
Posts: 51,051
Ok, so in a few years...
Jan 3, 2013, 6:40 am
#1044
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: back to my roots in Scotland!
Programs: Tamsin - what else is there to say?
Posts: 47,843
My 15th loan made yesterday. I only have a small amount of money in Kiva (about 3 loans worth), but I try to circulate it a lot!
Jan 4, 2013, 6:13 pm
#1046
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,417
Jan 5, 2013, 9:54 pm
#1048
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
Welcome new members, and congratulations, Jenbel, on your loan!
Now that I am back and have accumulated some money from loan repayments, it's time for me to get with it and move that money back into circulation.
^Great idea, kipper!
^
Now that I am back and have accumulated some money from loan repayments, it's time for me to get with it and move that money back into circulation.
^Great idea, kipper!
^
Jan 8, 2013, 8:13 pm
#1050
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: mountains of western NC
Programs: Life, Love and Laughter
Posts: 8,539
Here is a list I maintain:
http://milepoint.com/forums/threads/...ry-list.19074/