About me!

My name is Meagan, and I’m passionate about developing and strengthening market-based approaches to solving poverty! I’m an alum of the University of Notre Dame (BA) and DePaul University (MA). I’ve worked in the fields of human rights, international diplomacy, anthropology, internal audit, and social business, and my work has taken me to India, West Africa, and Southeast Asia.

What You Are Supporting!

Currently I am headed to Samoa for 4 months for a Fellowship with Kiva, where I will be working with Kiva’s partner, the South Pacific Business Development Foundation, (SPBD). For them, I will be reviewing and improving systems, transitioning a local microfinance partner to a new loan system, and surveying the area for additional partners in microfinance and social enterprise for Kiva.org.

I’ll also be meeting and verifying Kiva MFI partner borrowers, and through social media I’ll be providing insight into the world of Kiva borrowers! I am your window into the realities of the borrowers that you may have lent to with a click of your mouse on Kiva.org. Come with me to explore the complexities on the ground and get a true view of your impact as a Kiva lender!

You can read more about the Kiva Fellows program here:
http://www.kiva.org/about/

What I Need

Your donation, no matter what size, is a social investment with a social return. These funds enable me to work on the ground with SPBD and the community in order to maximize the social impact on local entrepreneurial women. 

I am asking for $2500 to supplement my expenses (or more!) which include:

• Air Fare (approx. $2500- South Pacific flights are expensive!)
• Kiva Training support ($250- flights/transit expenses for 1 week training in SF)
• Camera for capturing awesome video and photos ($400)
• Food budget in Samoa ($600)
• Internet costs ($800- so we can stay connected!! Again… expensive)
• Field Visits ($400 for transit) 

What is Kiva?

Kiva is an non-profit with the goal of connecting people through lending to alleviate poverty. Anyone can log onto kiva.org, browse a portfolio of entrepreneurs in developing nations, and make a $25 loan to a small business. Kiva works with microfinance institutions on five continents to provide loans to people without access to traditional banking systems. One hundred percent of your loan is sent to these microfinance institutions, also called Field Partners, who administer the loans in their communities

Other Ways You Can Help

Some people just can’t contribute, but that doesn’t mean they can’t help:

• Spread the word about my campaign!
• Donate flight miles (contact me to determine airlines)
• giveaway/loaner digital camera