How is micro-lending with KIVA different from companies that offer remittance services?
Making a loan on Kiva is so easy! Their model was built around taking out the barriers most people face in trying to get through to the checkout page. So that’s really the first thing. On the back-end there are lot of people and processes in place to continue to make Kiva transparent and sustainable, but for the average user, it’s quick and simple and engaging. You really can see who your loan goes to. What made you choose to go to the Philippines? Do you have any personal ties to the country? The Kiva Fellows interview process is a rigorous one. At the end, you get accepted without knowing your exact country, but having a basic breakdown on the places you might end up. In my list, I had the Philippines in my Top 3. Kiva just launched in the Philippines last year so it was a priority placement for them to have Fellows in the field here. It’s funny because when I first put the Philippines in my Top 3, I figured given my wide circle I must know someone who was Pilipino and would be able
