Kiva Micro Credits

Today I made my first loans to three Cambodian women via Kiva: "Kiva's mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty. Kiva is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs in the developing world."

I am quite wary of foreign aid efforts but I am all for empowering people to help themselves. Micro credits help people who would not be able to receive a loan from a regular bank. Instead of having to loan money from credit sharks micro credit institutes offer interest free loans.

"Microfinance programs have generally targeted poor women. Many qualitative and quantitative studies have documented how access to financial services has improved the status of women within the family and the community. Women have become more assertive and confident. In regions where women's mobility is strictly regulated, women have become more visible and are better able to negotiate the public sphere. Women own assets, including land and housing, and play a stronger role in decision making."

Mrs. Dorn Choen (pictured) is a silk weaver and is asking for a loan to build her own house. Mrs. Samut Pol spins silk thread for her daughter who is a silk weaver. She is asking for a loan to finish the construction of her house. "Suy Phally has asked for a loan of $1000 USD to make an investment in her childrens' tailoring business. She would like to purchase more cloth for their business, so that they can make more clothes." (quotes from www.kiva.org)

To read more about micro credits: Wikipedia entry

Heute habe ich mein erstes Kiva-Darlehen an drei Frauen aus Kambodscha vergeben. "Kiva portiert das Mikrofinanz-Konzept auf eine neue Ebene, indem sie es jedermann ermöglicht, ein Darlehensgeber ("Lender") zu werden. Der Geldgeber kann selbst bestimmen, welche Personen oder Projekte er fördern möchte." Ich stehe der Entwicklungshife eher skeptisch gegenüber, finde aber daß es sinnvoll ist, Menschen zu helfen sich selbst zu helfen. Zinslose Mikro-Kredite werden an Menschen vergeben, die so arm sind, daß sie von einer normalen Bank kein Darlehen bekommen würden. Die drei Frauen, die ich ausgesucht habe, arbeiten als Seidenweberinnen oder Schneiderin. www.kiva.org; Wikipedia-Eintrag zu Mikrokrediten.