torsdag 15. desember 2016

KIVA

What is Kiva
Kiva allows people to lend out money via the Internet to low-income people in over 80 countries. Microfinance institutions, social businesses, schools and nonprofit organizations around the world are allowed to post profiles of qualified local entrepreneurs on its website. Kiva’s mission is to connect people through lending to ease poverty. The voluntary organization was founded in October 2005 by Matt Flannery and Jessica Jackley. After its first anniversary in October 2006, Kiva reached $1 million in facilitated. Kiva has continued to grow and expand.
We started this project with Kiva because we care about these people in the developing countries, and want to contribute and help them, by lending them 25$. Hopefully, this will make their (or his, in our case) food production rates higher, and in the end – more income for him. 
José Arístides
We chose to lend money to José Arístides because we believe in his work with coffee, corn, and bean crops. The risk rating is at 4*, which we consider safe. His main objective is to feed his family, but hopefully, he will grow even more food. Arístides has a wife and nine children. Five of them live away from home. Arístides has worked in agriculture since he was 14 years old, and his inspiration and teacher was his father. He needs the loan to collect coffee, corn and bean crops. We think it’s possible for Arístides to grow even more food with his total loan on 350$, and are looking positive about his future. 
His investment plan is to hire someone to help him harvest his crops and expand his business. Regardless if we get our money back, this is an investment we support, because it supports a good cause.
El Salvador
It is the smallest country in Central America. It is also the most densely populated country in central America. It has a population of approximately 6.4 million, consisting largely of Mestizos (person combined of European and American descent) of European and indigenous American descent.
It was populated by the Lencaand Maya and was conquered by the Spanish Empire. The country achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and became a part of the first Mexican empire. Became a part of the Federal Republic of Central America in 1823. El Salvador became independent in 1898, following a decade of coups and revolts. The economic inequality resulted in a terrible war (1972-1992) between the military-led government and left-wing guerrilla groups.
El Salvador’s economy is historically dominated by agriculture, beginning with the indigo plant, followed by coffee. By the early 20th century, this accounted for 90 percent of export earnings. In later years, they’ve worked on diversifying the economy by opening trade and financial links and expanding the manufacturing sector. The official currency of El Salvador became the U.S. dollar in 2001, replacing the colon currency. As of 2010, El Salvador ranks 12th among Latin American countries in terms of the Human Development Index and fourth in Central America. The country has an ongoing struggle with high rates of poverty, inequality, and crime.
Written with Marthe and Henrik.