Interview to Denisse Rodríguez, Activist of Kiva Zip PR
1) Tell us, what’s Kiva Zip?
Kiva uses the internet and a worldwide red of collaborators to allow individuals to loan as low as $25 to create economic opportunities for entrepreneurs around the world. The purpose of Kiva is (1) Better the access to capital for entrepreneurs that will not qualify for conventional loans, (2) Use new technologies to reduce financial costs for the entrepreneurs and (3) Facilitate local and global connections that have a positive social impact.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKTiDrV1bYo
How do we do it? Substituting the typical Financial Capital for Social Capital:
- Decisions for loan awards are based on social factors such as the character and trust of the borrower… instead of their credit, collateral or cash flow.
- The loans of Kiva Zip come from a multitude of people, not of just one financial institution.
- People can connect with the borrower they have loaned to and become their clients, ambassadors and advisors.
2) Talk to us about some of the projects that are currently being funded by Kiva Zip
Actually, we have a a very interesting project to develop a local food business. The entrepreneur Damian has been very successful with creating a name for “Naked Pincho”, which locals and tourists across the Condado Beach of San Juan are regular customers. Damian understands that in order to serve more clients he will have to sell his products in other areas, and to facilitate this process he needs a Cargo Mini Van. As well, it will be easier to carry all the equipment needed to set up his “kiosk” in the beach. If you are interested in Damian’s story and want to know more, please access this link.
3) Tell us a little bit about Kiva Zip Fellowship
The Kiva Zip Fellowship is a very prestigious program through which the individual dedicates at least 4 months to develop Kiva in one of the 86 geographies of the world where Kiva holds presence.
Currently, we have a Kiva Fellow in Puerto Rico. Her name is Paula Vega ad she is from Costa Rica. Paula is in a voluntary in Puerto Rico who for four months (while in Puerto Rico) seeks to develop Kiva Zip in Puerto Rico.
For more information and to apply here: http://foundationforpuertorico.org/kiva-pr/
4) If people are interested in supporting the cause and joining as an ally for one of the projects, what do they have to do?
It’s very easy! You just have to access our page, select the country/state which you are interested in helping and select “All Loans”. Here you will have a few options where you have to decide which one you identify with the most. You can lend here https://zip.kiva.org/loans/s/puertorico. As well, if you are an entrepreneur in Puerto Rico and in need of capital to help develop your business… you can submit a request for the loan at: https://zip.kiva.org/borrow
In addition, we are currently on the lookout for matching funds… so that when an individual lends $25, the entrepreneur receives $50. Foundation for Puerto Rico did a matching fund, but it’s already been exhausted; these matching funds are of great help to these projects and are always welcomed! Currently, we are also looking for sponsors for the opening of our platform that will be in March; with a donation and/or a matching loan you can be a part of our sponsors.
For more information you can contact:
- Denisse Rodríguez at rodriguez@fellows.kiva.org
- Paula Vega at vega@fellows.kiva.org
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