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!
Jul 28, 2010, 11:41 pm
#347
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
Wow, we've added some members and jumped to over $44,000! That's FlyerTalk power!
"Our" own Kiva Fellow, giblet AKA Lina Goldberg, has completed intensive training in San Francisco and departed SFO for NRT on JL today, connecting on to BKK. From there it's LCC to PNH, where it turns out she also has a friend she's known. She will me attached to Kiva partner MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. microlending institution in Phnom Penh <link> and will visit borrowers / clients in the area. I am hoping she will visit some of the microentrepreneurs helped by the Kiva FlyerTalk Lending Team.
(It's been a couple of years since I have been to Phnom Penh - it should be sweltering hot and wet right now.)
"Our" own Kiva Fellow, giblet AKA Lina Goldberg, has completed intensive training in San Francisco and departed SFO for NRT on JL today, connecting on to BKK. From there it's LCC to PNH, where it turns out she also has a friend she's known. She will me attached to Kiva partner MAXIMA Mikroheranhvatho Co., Ltd. microlending institution in Phnom Penh <link> and will visit borrowers / clients in the area. I am hoping she will visit some of the microentrepreneurs helped by the Kiva FlyerTalk Lending Team.
(It's been a couple of years since I have been to Phnom Penh - it should be sweltering hot and wet right now.)
Jul 29, 2010, 5:30 am
#348
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Miami, Nice
Programs: Marriott Titanium, AA Concierge Key, Delta, United, Emorates, and others
Posts: 4,694
Since I just joined I have reviewed the loans I've made yesterday, more than a dozen of them. Without intending consciously I was surprised to note that I have only sent money to places i have been and have been depressed by the level of poverty and the still-vibrant micro-businesses. JDiver, commenting about Cambodia, reminded me of that. I lived on the Thai-Cambodia border for a couple of years long, long ago. I also last visited Cambodia a year ago to find it much changed but still in need of major improvement in the lot of the poorer people. I hope to be lending there also, as well as in brazil, where there are equally major needs and lots of personal initiative among people of all economic backgrounds.
It is awing to see so many of us joining in this effort. I am very pleased and happy to be a part of it.
It is awing to see so many of us joining in this effort. I am very pleased and happy to be a part of it.
Jul 29, 2010, 8:04 am
#349
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NJ
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, UA Silver, dirt elsewhere
Posts: 46,919
The amount of available loans is a bit on the sparse side since we're getting near the end of the month. I've seen them drop to near zero at times.
So, if you're not finding a loan you're interested in, wait until the 1st and there most likely will be over 1000 available.
So, if you're not finding a loan you're interested in, wait until the 1st and there most likely will be over 1000 available.
Jul 29, 2010, 12:05 pm
#350
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
Godonya!
I agree with you about Cambodia - many challenges, not the least is the palpable corruption. Definitely still in need of a hand up. And Brasil can use the help too. Lots of microbusiness and "informal economy" projects, and people help themselves.
"Our" Fellow, giblet / Lina, has arrived in Bangkok safely and will be en route to Phnom Penh soon.
I agree with you about Cambodia - many challenges, not the least is the palpable corruption. Definitely still in need of a hand up. And Brasil can use the help too. Lots of microbusiness and "informal economy" projects, and people help themselves.
"Our" Fellow, giblet / Lina, has arrived in Bangkok safely and will be en route to Phnom Penh soon.
Since I just joined I have reviewed the loans I've made yesterday, more than a dozen of them. Without intending consciously I was surprised to note that I have only sent money to places i have been and have been depressed by the level of poverty and the still-vibrant micro-businesses. JDiver, commenting about Cambodia, reminded me of that. I lived on the Thai-Cambodia border for a couple of years long, long ago. I also last visited Cambodia a year ago to find it much changed but still in need of major improvement in the lot of the poorer people. I hope to be lending there also, as well as in brazil, where there are equally major needs and lots of personal initiative among people of all economic backgrounds.
It is awing to see so many of us joining in this effort. I am very pleased and happy to be a part of it.
It is awing to see so many of us joining in this effort. I am very pleased and happy to be a part of it.
Jul 29, 2010, 8:55 pm
#351
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NYC
Posts: 214
I've been on Kiva for awhile now and just joined the Flyertalk team. Most of my loans have been going toward a team that I am the team captain of. I'll try to credit some to this team too.
I look forward to reading about giblet's experience as a fellow. I was considering applying last year, but I didn't. I've been thinking about it for quite some time again, and I think I may apply around this time next year.
I look forward to reading about giblet's experience as a fellow. I was considering applying last year, but I didn't. I've been thinking about it for quite some time again, and I think I may apply around this time next year.
Jul 30, 2010, 9:53 pm
#352
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
future elite, you are doing good, and that's what counts!
giblet / Lina has arrived in Phnom Penh and will soon settle in, I think. For just now, sweltering and humid, no a/c, no hot water, no Internet... We'll hope to hear things are improving. (I'll be on the road a while myself, so I hope there will be some pleasant surprises on my return... off to Turkey and Greece.)
giblet / Lina has arrived in Phnom Penh and will soon settle in, I think. For just now, sweltering and humid, no a/c, no hot water, no Internet... We'll hope to hear things are improving. (I'll be on the road a while myself, so I hope there will be some pleasant surprises on my return... off to Turkey and Greece.)
Aug 3, 2010, 2:35 am
#356
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Yiron, Israel
Programs: Bates Motel Plat
Posts: 68,927
Aug 3, 2010, 9:21 am
#357
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Body in Downtown YYZ, heart and mind elsewhere
Programs: UA 50K, refugee from AC E50K, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 5,132
I just made loan #1500. 
In honour of giblet's efforts I made the loan in Cambodia.
Vanny Koeu's Group
Location: Preaek Ph'av Village, Cambodia
Activity: Food
Loan Use: To fix her cart
This four member group loan, led by Mrs. Vanny Koeu, is based in Preaek Ph'av village in Kandal province. All the members will use their loan for different purposes.
Mrs. Vanny Koeu sells sweet potato grill, door to door. Her husband, Mr. Chhat Sambo, is a construction worker. She has a problem in that her cart, which she uses in her business, is broken. To solve this, and to improve her business, Mrs. Vanny Koeu is applying for a loan to fix her cart.
In honour of giblet's efforts I made the loan in Cambodia.Vanny Koeu's Group
Location: Preaek Ph'av Village, Cambodia
Activity: Food
Loan Use: To fix her cart
This four member group loan, led by Mrs. Vanny Koeu, is based in Preaek Ph'av village in Kandal province. All the members will use their loan for different purposes.
Mrs. Vanny Koeu sells sweet potato grill, door to door. Her husband, Mr. Chhat Sambo, is a construction worker. She has a problem in that her cart, which she uses in her business, is broken. To solve this, and to improve her business, Mrs. Vanny Koeu is applying for a loan to fix her cart.
Aug 4, 2010, 9:40 am
#359
Join Date: May 2009
Location: GLA
Posts: 1,214
Hey all! I just made my first visit to the field today and met with 6 Kiva borrowers in Kandal province, Cambodia. A very exciting and exhausting experience. You can check out my first journal entry here: http://www.kiva.org/journals
(You can find it by searching for "Mao Em" if it's no longer at the top when you read this) If you like it, please recommend it!
(You can find it by searching for "Mao Em" if it's no longer at the top when you read this) If you like it, please recommend it!
Aug 4, 2010, 9:48 am
#360
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Yiron, Israel
Programs: Bates Motel Plat
Posts: 68,927
from giblet's blog:
Were they, perhaps, water buffalos? I have seen them used to pull wagons in Thailand but never saw cows put to that use.
Today as I wandered sweatily through town looking for a plug adapter I saw a man selling pottery off a wagon pulled by two cows (or some large beast--I once famously thought a cow was a dog, but I was 4)