[I’ve told you before … If I ever offer investment advice, run the other way! This stops short of that. Kiva.org is an irresistible portfoloio of appealing, deserving people who can greatly benefit from a little spare change that you have lying around. I find it entertaining, and inspirational to read about the individuals and the organization putting entrepreneurs and investors together. What I can’t tell you, however, whether this is a legitimate organization or just another scam playing on our guilt and sympathies a privileged fat cats. Anyone in The Jungle know anything more about them? Before you pull out your charge card, let’s see if anyone out there can shed a little more light on this situation. SB SM]
A sample investment:
FATMATA
29 days remaining
$50 to go
87% funded
HOW THIS MONEY HELPS
Helps to purchase more dry fish by carton to increase her business.
Greetings from Sierra Leone! This is 32-year-old Fatmata from Torkpoi town Branch. She is a married businesswoman with two children between the ages of six and 17 years old. They are currently attending school. She started this business to take care of her family.
Fatmata runs a retail business where she sells dry fish to her customers around the communities. She has been in this business for the past five years. Fatmata says that her challenge is the increase in the cost of transportation and price control.
She requested this loan through BRAC Sierra Leone to purchase more dry fish by carton to increase her business. Fatmata says that the extra income from this loan will help to take care of her family. In the future, she would like to expand on a large scale. She says thanks to BRAC and Kiva for their support.
Loan Comments
It provides access to funding in areas where there are limited alternative sources of finance.
More about this loan
This loan is facilitated by our Lending Partner, BRAC Sierra Leone. Lending Partners are local organizations working in communities to vet borrowers, provide services, and administer loans on the ground.
It provides access to funding in areas where there are limited alternative sources of finance.
About BRAC Sierra Leone:
This loan is administered by BRAC Sierra Leone. BRAC, the world?s largest NGO, takes a multi-dimensional approach to attacking poverty through offering a comprehensive range of programs in the realms of microfinance, capacity building, livelihood development, health, education, and social justice.
BRAC Sierra Leone plays a large role in providing economic empowerment to communities that lack access to the financial mainstream. BRAC Sierra Leone offers small enterprise loans to men and women who desire to expand their small businesses, generate employment opportunities, and provide new services. More information can be found on BRAC Sierra Leone?s Kiva Field Partner Page.
Sierra Leone at a glance
$980 Average annual income (USD)
98 Loans currently fundraising
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JANIER
34 days remaining
$200 to go
38% funded
HOW THIS MONEY HELPS
Helps to maintain two manzanas of maize and 1.75 manzanas of coffee for harvesting.
Janier works in agricultural production and is currently tending to two manzanas of maize and 1.75 manzanas of coffee under cultivation. Both activities represent a significant source of income for his family and require constant attention throughout the growing cycle.
To continue with this work, he is applying for a loan of C$11,315.00. The funds will be used to buy the inputs and tools needed to maintain his maize and coffee plots, with the aim of keeping his crops in good condition and maximising their yield.
With this investment, Janier hopes to achieve a more stable yield and boost the income that contributes to his household’s well-being.
Translated from Spanish by Kiva volunteer Jan Ryan. View original language description.
Loan Comments
It empowers farmers to diversify, and thus stabilize, their families’ sources of income.
More about this loan
This loan is facilitated by our Lending Partner, Aldea Global. Lending Partners are local organizations working in communities to vet borrowers, provide services, and administer loans on the ground.
These collateral-free loans to solidarity groups and women farmers will be used for agricultural production. Most of the loans are short-term and finance the purchase of agricultural inputs; however, in some cases, the loans may be longer-termed (up to 36 months) and used for the purchase of machinery and equipment. Aldea Global works with borrowers in the northern, coffee-growing region of Nicaragua, where incomes are heavily dependent on coffee. By supporting this loan, you are helping borrowers to diversify their families’ sources of income, resulting in greater economic stability.
Nicaragua at a glance
$2,953Average annual income (USD)
173Loans currently fundraising
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Kevin
San Francisco, CA, United States
Jarrett
San Antonio, Tx, United States
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Lake Oswego, OR, United States
Barbara
Winamac, IN, United States
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Pearson
Loan details Lending Partner Loan length8 months Repayment scheduleEnd of term Disbursed dateJuly 23, 2026 Funding model FlexiblePartner covers currency loss? Yes Is borrower paying interest? Yes