KIVA - Loans that change lives

KIVA is a really interesting Micro-Loan program that I stumbled upon while perusing other, random blogs. It's great to have discovered another way to help Peruvians, albeit from afar. I've made 2 loans totalling $125.00 so far. I recently received my first repayment of $17.00!!! Until I request the cash back, KIVA keeps the repaid money in a funding account, allowing me to fund another loan if I so choose. I could explain all the details myself, but it is better if you go to their website and read about it, if interested. KIVA.org

Here are the 2 women that I've made loans to:

Bautista Lupaca Guevara





Doña Bautista is 34 years old, she studied until fifth grade, secondary, is married and has 2 sons, 14 and 11 years old, and lives in the community of Machacmarca.
She is a member of "Banco Comunidad Ciudad Nueva", District of Pilcuyo, Province of Collao D Puno. Since she was single she liked to work with business, back then she used to take garments to the town of Tacna, but in 2003 she started selling groceries at the market in Pilcuyo on Thursdays and at the same time selling clothes which she distributes in bulk in the town of Arequipa.
With this loan of S/.2.500 "Nuevos Soles" to be repaid in 4 payments she will purchase the following: 3 dozen footwear, each dozen costs S/.300.00 "Nuevos Soles", 3 dozen jeans, each dozen costs S/.260.00 "Nuevos Soles" and with S/.500.00 "Nuevos Soles" she will buy children's clothing. With the loan she both increases her stock and earnings.
It is her vision that her sons become professionals and set up a grocery store in the District of Pilcuyo.

About the Entrepreneur
Name: Bautista Lupaca Guevara
Location: Pilcuyo - Collao, Puno, Peru
Primary Activity: Clothing Sales
Total Loan Requested: $850.00 My Loan: $25.00
Repayment Term: 4 months
Loan Use: Purchase garments and footwear to improve business.


Fortunata Aliaga De Miranda




Fortunata is 59 years old and lives with her 59 year-old husband Hernando, who is a driver, and also with her daughter Mariela, who is 20 years old and studies at the college level in the city of Juliaca. For the past three years, Fortunata has run a grocery store that she opened in her home. She has put a lot of affection and effort into the business in order to make it bear fruit and generate good income. Fortunata’s family has always supported her, and when her husband is not working he stays and helps her with the store, as does her daughter when she returns from her studies in the city. Fortunata likes her business since she has put so much effort into it.
Fortunata hopes that her daughter will get ahead and be a successful professional, so that she can work and survive in the city and not have to stay in the country like Fortunata. With the money from her loan, Fortunata will purchase supplies in order to grow her small store.

About the Entrepreneur
Name: Fortunata Aliaga De Miranda
Location: Juliaca, Peru
Primary Activity: Grocery Store
Total Loan Requested: $675.00 My loan: $100.00
Repayment Term: 6 months
Loan Use: To purchase products to sell in her small grocery store