Note that contributions to the Kiva Fellow(s) on Indiegogo are not donations to Kiva and consequently, Kiva is not able to issue a tax receipt for these donations.

My Story

In about one month, I will embark on a journey to Nairobi, Kenya, where I will spend the coming three months as a Kiva Fellow. Kiva is a non-profit organization with a mission to alleviate poverty. They are helping low-income entrepreneurs, who lack access to traditional banking systems, to get access to capital and work their way out of poverty through micro lending.

The first time I heard about Kiva was during my Economic Development studies, when writing my Master Thesis about how microfinance targeted towards women can lead to higher gender equality. I was instantly amazed by the brilliant idea that Kiva was built on and in January this year I made my first loan on the Kiva website (www.kiva.org). Now, nine months later I have been accepted to the Kiva Fellows Program to help increase Kivas impact around the world and I could not be more excited.

During my stay in Kenya I will be working with the two newest and most innovative aspects of Kiva’s model – non traditional partners and Kiva Zip. Kiva Zip is testing new ways and techniques with the goal of expanding their reach to unserved populations and drive down the cost for the borrower. My main task at the two non-traditional field partners (Brazafric and Honey care) will be to help them implement sustainable and efficient Kiva processes.

Where you come in

The Kiva Fellow is an unpaid, volunteer position designed to increase Kiva's impact and to offer participants a unique insider experience in the world of microfinance. With a little bit of your support, together we can help to make an impact.

I will be extremely happy and thankful for all the help I can get. I have calculated that my Fellowship will cost approximately $6000 dollars with airfare, accommodation, Visa, immunization and travels within the country to meet with borrowers. Any amount you can contribute will be influential.

If you can’t contribute, don’t worry, there are other ways to help.

First of all you can go to Kivas website www.kiva.org, and spread the word about the organisation You can scroll through the entrepreneurs and their profiles, and help these people to create a better life for themselves and their families, through a loan as small as $25. You can also help by spreading the word about my campaign to friends and family!

To learn more go to www.kiva.org/fellows

Thanks a lot for your support!