Teen Hosts Sweet 16 Party to Raise Awareness and Funds for Kiva

On August 21, Keara Haldeman, a teen from Menlo Park, California, will be hosting a birthday celebration for more than 100 friends as a way to raise money to provide loans to the world's poor through Kiva. The pool party will include typical teenager party favorite, such as tacos, sodas, and a DJ playing dance music, but instead of the extravagant outfits and presents, Keara has asked guests to donate between five and twenty-five dollars to the Menlo-Atherton High School Lending Team that she set up last year.

“It’s inspirational to hear about a teenager willing to give up attention and gifts and instead turn the focus to the most needy,” said Premal Shah, president of Kiva. “I admire Keara for being willing to forego the excesses of over-the-top parties and instead figure out a way to make an impact on the world.”

“I’ve been lending through Kiva with my allowance for a few years now,” stated Keara Haldeman, who turns 16 on August 1st. “Since then I’ve funded eight entrepreneurs in countries like Togo, Guatemala, Ghana and Peru who were single wage-earners needing extra money to grow their businesses in order to support their families. I’ve funded a seamstress, a grocer and makers of soda, ice-cream and cosmetics. I thought it would be cool to use my 16th birthday party as a way to raise awareness of how we all can make an impact in the world.”

The funds raised at the party will be distributed to new entrepreneurs by members of the school’s Lending Team in September. To find out more about this event, please click here.

We would like to extend a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Keara and a huge THANK YOU for all of her efforts in raising awareness for Kiva!