# Kiva - what are your opinions on it? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 15, 2012, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kiva-what-are-your-opinions-on-it/618834 "2012-04-15T13:23:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kiva-what-are-your-opinions-on-it/618834/1 "2012-04-15T13:23:11Z")
Have anyone use [Kiva](http://www.kiva.org) before? It’s a site that allows you to give micro-loans to people from poor countries who are in need. Is it effective in helping those people? Are there any catch in using them? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kiva-what-are-your-opinions-on-it/618834/2 "2012-04-15T23:14:03Z")
I put a test sum of $25 into Kiva a couple of years ago, and have loaned it out to I think three different people now, and I have no complaints. As far as I know, the money is used by people who need it for things they need to make their lives better. I haven’t encountered any catches so far. ---
**Author:** ![jali](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecae2f/32.png) [@jali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jali)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kiva-what-are-your-opinions-on-it/618834/3 "2012-04-16T00:00:53Z")
I’m a [kiva.org](http://kiva.org) supporter. I just finished my 15th loan and I’ve been repaid over and over. I’ve loaned all over the world and I feel better every time I make a new loan. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kiva-what-are-your-opinions-on-it/618834/4 "2012-04-16T00:03:55Z")
I think it’s a good idea, and so far, haven’t found any drawbacks. It’s an idea that wouldn’t be possible without the Internet and worldwide communication. ---
**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kiva-what-are-your-opinions-on-it/618834/5 "2012-04-16T00:06:07Z")
Do the loans get repaid with interest, or is it more for the charitable sense of giving that you give the loans? I’ve always wondered about that- do people use it to make $$ or more just for the fun and sense of helping others out? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kiva-what-are-your-opinions-on-it/618834/6 "2012-04-16T00:13:45Z")
> [@ToeJam](#): > > Do the loans get repaid with interest, or is it more for the charitable sense of giving that you give the loans? > > I’ve always wondered about that- do people use it to make $$ or more just for the fun and sense of helping others out? The loans usually get repaid – Kiva sees to that – but the donors/loaners do not receive interest. Once the loan is repaid, you can use the same capital to loan to someone else of your choice. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kiva-what-are-your-opinions-on-it/618834/7 "2012-04-16T00:26:55Z")
My daughter (BloodyL) put in 25 dollars several years ago and has cycled a few times, always being paid back. She loves it. I personally think it’s a wonderful idea too. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kiva-what-are-your-opinions-on-it/618834/8 "2012-04-16T01:29:05Z")
[A local story on an equivalent facility](http://www.smh.com.au/world/a-recipe-for-success-after-tsunami-20120415-1x1ee.html) that the Australian government set up for survivors of the 2004 tsunami: > [@](#): > > Three years ago she became the beneficiary of Australian aid money in the form of a loan of 3 million rupiah ($316). She used it to buy coconuts in bulk. The extra big order reduced her costs, increasing her profits, allowing her to reinvest. > > ‘‘The money just revolved and revolved and got larger,’’ she says. > > Now, three loans later, she buys coconuts by the truckload, employs three people and makes up to 50 kilograms of the paste a day to sell to market stallholders or directly to restaurants. She also sells the husks to burn in the region’s ubiquitous barbecues. > > Through the micro-finance provider, she and 42 fellow businesswomen have formed a ‘‘KSM’’, or self-help group, which imposes saving rules on the members and is accumulating enough assets to begin acting like a micro-finance bank for saving and lending. > > According to AusAID, this is one of 84 KSMs in nine districts helping almost 1700 people, mostly women. > > The Australian aid program puts $1.7 million a year into micro-finance, which helps people like Rosmani with training, business management and technical skills. More than 1870 poor households have had their income increased as a result. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kiva-what-are-your-opinions-on-it/618834/9 "2012-04-16T02:26:56Z")
No complaints here. My husband has been using it for quite a while and I’ve just started. It’s not an _investment_, in that you’re not going to make any money out of it, but it’s a great way to help people without having to put out too much money. Yeah, there’s a risk I may never see my money again, but in that case it’s like I just plain donated to charity, and I’m ok with that. As it’s been going, though, we’ve been able to help a dozen people with the same $50, and I think that’s great. ---
**Author:** ![Girl\_From\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3da27b/32.png) [@Girl\_From\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girl_From_Mars)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kiva-what-are-your-opinions-on-it/618834/10 "2012-04-16T04:55:59Z")
OK, you’ve got me inspired - I’ve been meaning to do this for a while. I’ve just made donations for Iraq, Cambodia, the Philippines and Pakistan (knowing that this is really just backfilling the loan, but still). Will be interested to see how this pans out, and something to talk to my girls about as they get a little older. We gave bees through Heifer for Baby From Mars #1 for Christmas, and were able to talk to her a little about what that was all about. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kiva-what-are-your-opinions-on-it/618834/11 "2012-04-16T05:25:15Z")
I am a little suspicious. I am a certified expert in Anti-money Laundering. I offered to volunteer. They didn’t even bother to get back to me. Why would such a org not want the free services of a certified expert?😕 ---
**Author:** ![MaltLiquor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/858c86/32.png) [@MaltLiquor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaltLiquor)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kiva-what-are-your-opinions-on-it/618834/12 "2012-04-16T05:47:43Z")
Dunno, post what you sent to them and maybe we can find out. ---
**Author:** ![Dereknocue67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kiva-what-are-your-opinions-on-it/618834/13 "2012-04-16T06:21:05Z")
I have participated with Kiva and never lost a dime. I believe they make it possible for someone to obtain a loan who otherwise could not. My understanding of how my dollars go from me to the individuals receiving the loan is that Kiva provides either the direct capital or loan guarantee to an actual lender in this individuals country. This local lender completes the legwork, securing the paperwork on the loan and is tasked with collecting payments and in return, charges interest to the borrower. It’s a win/win for both parties and without Kiva the potential borrower may have nowhere to turn. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kiva-what-are-your-opinions-on-it/618834/14 "2012-04-16T12:57:02Z")
> [@MaltLiquor](#): > > Dunno, post what you sent to them and maybe we can find out. Their form for volunteering. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kiva-what-are-your-opinions-on-it/618834/15 "2012-04-16T13:19:57Z")
I like doing it because I can use the same 25 bucks to help lots and lots of people. I mean, it’s essentially free for me (if I wanted to I could take my money out) and helps people. What’s not to like? ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kiva-what-are-your-opinions-on-it/618834/16 "2012-04-16T13:34:15Z")
> [@ToeJam](#): > > I’ve always wondered about that- do people use it to make $$ or more just for the fun and sense of helping others out? [Prosper.com](http://Prosper.com) is a for-profit site with the same micro-loan mentality. I think Prosper was actually started first. ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kiva-what-are-your-opinions-on-it/618834/17 "2012-04-16T15:20:30Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > The loans usually get repaid – Kiva sees to that – but the donors/loaners do not receive interest. Once the loan is repaid, you can use the same capital to loan to someone else of your choice. You get interest. Lenders have the option of donating the interest to Kiva to help with operating expenses, but it’s not mandatory. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kiva-what-are-your-opinions-on-it/618834/18 "2012-04-16T15:59:24Z")
There are several Kiva threads on the Dope. I love it, it makes me feel good to make a loan. I have about 500 USD out on Kiva and am currently making my 85’th loan. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kiva-what-are-your-opinions-on-it/618834/19 "2012-04-16T16:18:59Z")
> [@Greg\_Charles](#): > > You get interest. Lenders have the option of donating the interest to Kiva to help with operating expenses, but it’s not mandatory. No, you don’t get interest. The borrowers pay interest to the local lenders, but it never makes it to you. Still, I like it. [I’ve used $75 to help 16 different people/groups](http://www.kiva.org/lender/rick5875) so far. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kiva-what-are-your-opinions-on-it/618834/20 "2012-04-16T17:53:37Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I am a little suspicious. I am a certified expert in Anti-money Laundering. I offered to volunteer. They didn’t even bother to get back to me. > > Why would such a org not want the free services of a certified expert?😕 Positive you included the “anti-”? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kiva-what-are-your-opinions-on-it/618834.md?page=2)