My first Kiva loan has been repaid, so I get to choose a new recipient. But that isn't so easy. How do you make your selection? Do you lend in parts or everything in one loan?
My first Kiva loan has been repaid, so I get to choose a new recipient. But that isn't so easy. How do you make your selection? Do you lend in parts or everything in one loan?
"No scripture can mean that God is not love, or that his mercy is not over all his works" (John Wesley - Free Grace, 26)
It's getting more difficult. Just last week I got an email that the partner group we've used most often has ended their affiliation with Kiva.
...just my $.02.Post Thanks / Like - 1 Thanks, 0 LaughingHans Deventer - "thanks" for this post
Originally Posted by Hans Deventer
I apologize for the delay in responding. I was in the Grand Canyon when you asked the question.
The NazNet Team on Kiva is just 5 loans away from 500!!! It would be great if we could reach the 500 mark this weekend.
I have a fairly simple approach to Kiva lending. Because of my involvment with the Church of the Nazarene in Africa, I decided to focus my lending on Africa.
When I am ready to make more loans, I start by viewing the loans available from Africa. I eliminate loans for alcohol related businesses. I also eliminate "personal loans" (recently there has been an increase in loan applications for people to apply to personal expenses). Of the remaining loans, I pick the ones that I think have the best chance of success.
I have a bias against business in cosmetics, phone cards, and motorcycle taxi, but have made exceptions when better loan applications weren't available.
Lately, I have joined the trend of lending to groups rather than to individuals. It seems that in the African culture groups have a better record of repayment than individuals do. Still, when there is an individual application that makes sense, I make the laon.
Another trend that I have observed is groups chosing names that show they are Christian. Some are subtle and some are more obvious.
Some of the groups that I have responded to are:
Only God Group
Together as One Group
By God in Power II Group
In God We Trust Group
One group caused me to wonder. It is the "Five Virgins Group" that is made up of women with children. Somehow I think they didn't understand the meaning of "virgin."
One other issue I consider is which country the loan application is from. I am trying to lend in as many different countries as I can.
Another issue I consider is whether the loan application is for a business that has already been in business or to start a new one. I have a bias toward those who are already in business.
Post Thanks / Like - 2 Thanks, 0 Laughing
I stick mainly with Hope International-related loans.
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Thanks, 0 Laughing
Can I bump a REALLY old thread?
Any additional lending strategies out there for Kiva? How are you making your loans?
Grace and Peace,
Jon Twitchell
Cape Elizabeth Church of the Nazarene | YourChurchWeb.net | YourChurchPianist.net | FuneralChaplain.com
I have fallen behind. Quite a bit has been repaid, but I have not had time to relend it. Maybe I can do it today.
I lend only to those in Africa. It is a personal choice. I read thru the loan information carefully and pray that the Lord will lead me to support the ones where my loan will do the most good. I avoid loans that involve alcohol. I also avoid loans that are for personal consumption. I prefer loans that are for inventory or tools, but avoid loans for vehicles.
I also study the lending organization. Some of the local lenders seem to provde closer supervision of the borrower than others. I have learned through personal experience that simply providing money isn't enough to help many of these people. The discipline that is involved in repaying the loan is important to their future success.
For a while, I made a lot of "group loans." Group loans have better chance of being repaid because every member of the group is responsible for repaying the full loan. I have now backed away from the group loans, because I realized that the loan write-up onl describes what the portion of the loan that goes to the leader is for. The write-up doesn't say what the others are going to do with their portion of the loan. They might be opening a bar.
One more thing -- I tend to be a visual person, so the pictures make a difference. I realize that most pictures tell more about the person taking the picture than the person shown, but I do study the pictures before making a loan.
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Thanks, 0 Laughing
Very interesting, I will look into this more. Thanks for posting.
Dan, just got an email that they published their 2011 annual report: http://annualreport.kiva.org/letter
"No scripture can mean that God is not love, or that his mercy is not over all his works" (John Wesley - Free Grace, 26)
I just visited Kiva.Org. They have more loan applications available than I have ever seen. I found 16 loans that fit my lending profile! I think that is the most loans I have made at one time. I will go back tonight and read a few more applications.
For those who have not yet tried Kiva, the "first loan free" offer has been reinstated. If you have not previously made a Kiva loan, a donor will put $25 in your account to fund your first loan.
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Thanks, 0 Laughing
Missed it last time as they were all taken, so will check again. Thanks.
Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one.
~ Stella Adler ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
It takes a great deal of maturity to accept that trying to eliminate all risk eliminates life.
~ Susan Lapin ~
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote