| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| random |
Kiva?Does anyone else here Kiva?Kiva - loans that change lives It's a great idea,I treat it sort of like a donation so that when it gets paid back I can donate again. I currently have loans to: a group of woman farming poultry in the dominican republic, a village poultry project in Tanzania, Rice farmers in cambodia, vegetable farmers in Vietnam, and people raising livestock in both Azerbaijan and Tajikistan. from my original $100 dollars seed money the help I can give just keeps on growing and I like the idea so much better than just giving to charity. The whole give a man a fish... thing. I urge you to give it look. |
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| sharonb |
It's a great idea, I only have one loan yet, to a woman in Cambodia. I like that it's so personal, I feel like my $25 is really helping someone whose problems I can be aware of where if I donate to a charity I can just walk away and forget about it. | ||
| Slim |
I have 6 loans out to farmers. 
My brother founded one of the lending teams, and it has made him incredibly competitive when it comes to lending... 
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| lettucewoman |
what a great idea! Hey, maybe we could start a lending team from downsizer? | ||
| Nick |
Oh, love it.
Thanks for the link. |
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| random |
I'd join a downsizer lending team 
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| Jamanda |
Me too. I've registered on the site. (The main one, not Facebook) | ||
| Slim |
So is someone going to start one up?
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| Jamanda |
How about someone who knows all about it because their brother's already done it? 
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| Slim |
Ok, I'm on it.
Of course that means I'll have created two off-site downsizer groups (come join us on flickr!). Watch out Jema, I'm taking over!
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| Slim |
let's see if this link works...
http://www.kiva.org/community/viewTeam?team_id=2553 Come, join up! (you need to join the team before you lend if you want it to count for the team total) |
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| Jamanda |
Done that. So what happens next? Do we agree on a worthy recipient? | ||
| lettucewoman |
Me too!
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| sally_in_wales |
I think you just loan to whichever project you wish and the cumulative total shows up on the Downsizer link. I funded a knitter earlier today before we had the group tally running but if the month goes well I'm planning on a couple more:) |
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| Nick |
Surely you can't better lending a Cambodian Farmer called Mr Porn. | ||
| Slim |
http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=73247&_tpos=3&_tpg=1
This looks like a nice one for any of you searching for who to lend to. There are so many competitive lenders out there, that at some points there won't be anyone left to lend to. |
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| Pilsbury |
well I just signed up and made my first loan to a guy wanting to bake corn and cheese bread in south america, had to go for someone who cooks for my first loan really 
http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=72696 I will see how this goes and maybe make a few more in the new year. |
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| Penny |
I've done that one - well the company has looks like a good one for Downsizers to support.
I wonder if we could have our own team, perhaps a closed group? That would be a nice thing to do. |
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| Slim |
We have our own group, I could make it a closed one if that's what people want. I just didn't think anyone would join unless they were actually a downsizer. | ||
| Slim |
http://www.kiva.org/community/viewTeam?team_id=2553 | ||
| Penny |
Sorry Missed that on the previous page I'll make sure the next donation goes through there!
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| 2steps |
Joined too. what a great idea | ||
| random |
I joined too
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| Azura Skye |
ok I've joined - off to search the site now : )
Edited to add: Ok, loaned $25 to a lady in Togo selling Fruit and Veg. heehee. |
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| Slim |
Just a reminder to those that don't know, you can give Kiva gift certificates to friends/family/etc...
Just make sure to join our Downsizer team first, so we can climb the rankings (and become the most powerful lending team in the world, mwahahahahahaha) |
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| Nick |
Just bought some of these gift certificates for people who are Difficult to buy for at Christmas.
So I thought I'd bump this.
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| Cathryn |
Perfect! Thank you. | ||
| Penny |
I wanted perfume 
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| Cathryn |
Nah don't worry, we're not in the difficult to buy for category, Nick will have got us champagne.
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| Chez |
We've joined, too. | ||
| Mr O |
What a brill idea, I have just made 2 loans and am on there as my real name Phil Dance. | ||
| Nick |
Actually, naw, I've got them for my kids, and my neice and nephew. Perhaps it'll start them off in a cycle. Or, perhaps they'll steal the money back when it's repaid and buy PS3 games. Who knows? | ||
| tahir |
Why haven't I joined yet? | ||
| mochyn |
I've just joined and I'll make a loan as soon as I've got some money... | ||
| mochyn |
Ooh: just had a though: the old chap went off to Brum yesterday with a load of bangers to sell! I can afford to make a loan!
I've chosen Doris in Nigeria who sells food. She has a lovely smile! |
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| Nick |
Cos you're a tight git who simply doesn't care about anyone else, I suspect. |
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| jema |
I think we will be joining Soon as dust settles here I think we will do so.
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| Pilsbury |
Just got my first instalment back on the loan I made, hopefully the guy I loaned to is making a go of his baking business. | ||
| Jonnyboy |
How did I miss this? brilliant | ||
| jema |
We have bought Kiva gift vouchers as christmas gifts
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| Pilsbury |
how do they work?
do they just email you a voucher to give to someone to redeem would I have to sign the recipent up? |
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| jema |
you print vouchers the recipient takes it from there, if they don't then in a year it becomes a donation. | ||
| Cathryn |
One recipient is going to be delighted with this. Think I might add socks and aftershave to the other.
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| Erikht |
I'll join as soon as I get some money. Right now, I could use a loan... | ||
| Erikht |
Are there no interest rates on the loans? | ||
| Nick |
Nope, not a penny. | ||
| Slim |
well, technically there are interest rates, but it doesn't go to you, it goes to the non-profit (I think) partner organizations that actually administer the loans in the countries. | ||
| thos |
Not to the lenders, but the Field Partner charges interest. For each bid, follow the link to the Field Partner and that gives the average interest rate paid to the Field Partner. They are the only people allowed to take profit, although some Field Partners have creamed off some of the loans - see the defaulters list. |
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| jema |
I see the downsizer team now has 21 members
http://www.kiva.org/community/viewTeamMembers/?team_id=2553 |
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| Ginkotree |
Hopefully the farm as a centre for all sorts of good things to happen will take off next year and we will be able to become part of this.....Charlotte, my 84 year old friend who some of you met gave me a gift of a donation to www.sendacow.org.uk for christmas and I feel delighted with the gift on my behalf..
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| Mr O |
22 now. http://www.kiva.org/community/viewTeam/?team_id=2553 |