I am part of the Kiva Blogger Community. This means that I have volunteered to repost items that Kiva sends me occasionally. I got one of these items last night. Here it is. I think it’s wonderful news and I’m very excited about it! I hope you are too!
“We want to share an exciting launch announcement with our blogging community. In celebration of Earth Day last Friday, Kiva Green Loans were added to our site! It is our belief that there is great opportunity in the world, at this moment in time, to decrease our footprint, increase our environmental consciousness, and create a world more committed to sustainability that generations to come can enjoy.Kiva Green Loans are a category of business and personal microloans for entrepreneurs who run sustainable businesses that focus on reducing waste, recycling and minimizing pollution. Green loans can include both business and personal loans that contribute towards reducing waste and pollution, recycling, or repurposing used materials.”Much of the developing world spends hours a day gathering wood and other materials for fuel, losing countless hours and often inadvertently damaging the environment. This can create a lack of access to electricity and heat, often called ‘Energy Poverty,’ that can have a big impact on quality of life,” said Premal Shah, President of Kiva.org. “Microfinance can help provide solutions for energy poverty problems like these by, for example, funding the purchase of high-efficiency cookers and low propane gas stoves. Green loans can not only save the borrowers money, but also help reduce our collective impact on the environment.”
Kiva Green Loans can be accessed from the new Green Loans tab on our home page. Due to popularity on Earth Day, all Kiva Green Loans are currently funded, but new loans will be added to the site on an ongoing basis. One example of a listed loan is Blanca Rosa of Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Rosa requested a $500 loan from Kiva to help her expand her business of converting taxi engines to run on natural gas. She was able to purchase an emulator, timing devices, iron, bolts, and other supplies for her gas conversion workshop, where she notes that many vehicles are undergoing the conversion from gasoline to natural gas because it is more affordable, reduces fuel costs and helps reduce air pollution: http://www.kiva.org/lend/229893
Kelsey Dunn
Kiva.org | Community Marketing
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