I've had a payment from Kiva
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (326127)
Rockingham, Australia
November 18, 2018 5:45pm CST
On this fine and sunny morning (can’t resist a dig at those experiencing rain, snow and worse), I opened up my emails to find one from Kiva.
@DeborahDiane told myLotters about this site some time back. The idea is that you lend a small amount to a needy person who has requested a loan from an organisation called Kiva. There is a wide range of people seeking small to large loans to help grow their business or start one or whatever.
I lent $25 to a woman in the Philippines who needed food and supplements for her small herd of cattle. She hopes to expand her business over time. She has now made a small repayment on this loan. When the loan is fully paid back I can lend the money to someone else or close my account.
I thought this was a wonderful idea. In a way it is better than a straight out donation as eventually this woman won’t need any more assistance but will be self-sufficient and hopefully helping others.
I can look on the loan as coming from my myLot payments so thank you all for enabling me to do this. And thanks to @DeborahDiane for bringing the site to my attention.
The photo is of an Irish cow eyeballing Vince. They eyed each other for a few moments then Vince did a jump in the air and the cow turned tail and ran. It was pretty funny. 
24 people like this
28 responses
@DeborahDiane (40064)
• Laguna Woods, California
18 Nov 18
That is wonderful news! With me out of town so long, I confess that I have not been reading my emails from Kiva. Now I'll have to go back and check!
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40064)
• Laguna Woods, California
19 Nov 18
@JudyEv - I just checked. I have not received a payment, yet, but that is OK. They are supposed to repay the loan within 10 months. It will be interesting to see if that happens. Either way, I was happy to help these women buy a community stove. Such a basic need!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326127)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Nov 18
@DeborahDiane I don't suppose we'd get payments at the same time. I didn't know about the 10 months bit. That would be cool as I could then choose someone else to help.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (36504)
• Toccoa, Georgia
19 Nov 18
That is so interesting. I didn't know the organization existed. Thanks for sharing.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (36504)
• Toccoa, Georgia
20 Nov 18
@JudyEv Yes, it is a very good idea.
1 person likes this
@anya12adwi (6049)
• India
19 Nov 18
How do you pay there?? Is it legal and legit??
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326127)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Nov 18
@anya12adwi I'm sure it is open to anyone. I am in Australia and didn't have any trouble joining. They have to have their office somewhere. :)
1 person likes this
@anya12adwi (6049)
• India
20 Nov 18
@JudyEv Oh, then I guess it is not open to other International people?
1 person likes this
@MommyOfEli2013 (82124)
• Rupert, Idaho
20 Nov 18
That's very interesting...thank you for sharing about it!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326127)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Nov 18
I can't remember about the interest but whatever I get back I'll just choose another person/group to lend the money again. That is the beauty of it. You're not continually forking out money but the small amount you give keeps doing good. Once I know it works, and already it seems to, I might donate another $25. I can say it's my myLot payments as mostly they just sit in the bank till I need something.
@JudyEv (326127)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Nov 18
Yes, there is a huge choice of worthy recipients from virtually all over the world. You can choose a category first: women's interests, business, agriculture, animals, education and then you get to choose an individual or perhaps a group.
1 person likes this
@antonbunot (11092)
• Calgary, Alberta
22 Nov 18
Better than getting loan from payday loan companies.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (74767)
• East Tawas, Michigan
19 Nov 18
Cows are easily spooked and absolute cowards! Once I was staring at a herd of beef cattle as they were eyeballing me, also. Just testing, I took one step toward them. Simultaneously, all of them took one step backwards, like they'd been trained in the military
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (74767)
• East Tawas, Michigan
20 Nov 18
@JudyEv Yes, my grandma had twelve cows, they were very curious.
1 person likes this
@dave121495 (1296)
• Philippines
19 Nov 18
@JudyEv She should. It's not easy to find money nowadays.
1 person likes this
@nawala123 (20852)
• Indonesia
19 Nov 18
@JudyEv it looks big, but i know it is not the biggest
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (49130)
• United States
19 Nov 18
I haven't heard of this site before. It sounds like a nice way to help others .
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326127)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Nov 18
Once we gave money which went to an Indian man and enabled him to buy his ricksaw affair rather than rent it of someone who charged exorbitant rates. Or maybe I've told you all this before. And I'm glad the garlic is doing well. We're hoping for no rain on Sunday.
1 person likes this
@petatonicsca (7070)
• Japan
19 Nov 18
I've been doing Kiva for 7 years. It's great. One year for Lent I made a loan every day so I have plenty to re-circulate. I now read the stats on each microfinance group before lending, as well as currency loss.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326127)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Nov 18
That makes good sense to read the stats although I guess my individual might not have had stats. And 7 years - that's a great effort. Once the money has been donated you don't notice it's gone so to speak so it is no hardship to keep going with it. But donating over Lent is very praiseworthy so all kudos to you.
@maswaithe01 (44)
•
19 Nov 18
I have never heard of this before, I will check it out right away. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326127)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Nov 18
It's a great concept and there is a multitude of individuals/groups that you can subscribe to. As I said to Shaggin when you donate you're giving a hand up rather than a hand out.
