Raucous cheering emanated through Kiva HQ on Friday afternoon as the newest class of Kiva Fellows received their diplomas. Kiva Board Chair, Julie Hanna; Co-Founder and CEO, Matt Flannery; President, Premal Shah, and dozens of Kiva staff and volunteers were on hand to celebrate the completion of an intensive 5-day training program, which marks the beginning of a 4-month volunteer commitment for the 23 impressive individuals who make up the 16th class of Kiva Fellows (KF16).
[top row, from left to right] Jacob Schultz (KFP Manager), Emmanuel von Arx, Marcus Berkowitz, Rob Gradoville, Abhinab Basnyat, DJ Forza, Jim Burke, Whitney Webb, Andrea Ramirez, Laurie Young, Sandra Pina, Dave Weber, Kim Strathearn, and Matt Flannery (Kiva CEO); [middle row] Charlotte Makoff, Lauren Barra, Chris Paci, Alba Castillo, Julie Kerr, Allison Moomey, Jill Hall, Claire Markham, Tejal Desai, and Andrew Huelsenbeck; [in front] Eric Brandt and Dave Koken (KFP Coordinators)
Following in the footsteps of 384 past Kiva Fellows, KF16 will play a critical role in expanding Kiva’s global reach and ensuring the integrity of the Kiva lending experience. Each individual in the class will serve with one or more of Kiva’s microfinance institution field partners in order to strengthen relationships, build capacity and gather insights, pictures and stories from the field. These individuals will contribute their incredible energy and diverse professional skills to Kiva as self-funded volunteers. They will travel thousands of miles, often immersing themselves in unfamiliar cultures, and overcoming challenges for the opportunity to further Kiva’s work. “I know I speak for the entire community at Kiva when I say we are both excited for you and jealous of the amazing experiences that lay ahead for each and every one of you,” said Matt Flannery, Kiva’s Co-Founder and CEO. “More than anything, I want to thank you for choosing to serve Kiva.”
Kiva Co-Founder and CEO, Matt Flannery, presenting at KF16 training
Their commitment is nothing short of amazing, and, as the Kiva Fellows Program Manager, I feel honored and privileged to be associated with such remarkable people. Without further ado, please help us to welcome these new fellows to the Kiva community!
- Abhinab Basnyat, Nepal, Patan Business and Professional and Women
- Alba Castillo, Paraguay, Fundacion Paraguaya
- Allison Moomey, Burkina Faso, Micro Start/AFD
- Andrea Ramirez, El Salvador, Fundacion Campo
- Andrew Huelsenbeck, Uganda, BRAC Uganda
- Charlotte Makoff, USA
- Chris Paci, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan, IMON International and Aqroinvest Credit Union
- Claire Markham, Kenya, SMEP Deposit Taking Microfinance Limited
- Dave Weber, Cambodia, CREDIT, a partner of World Relief
- DJ Forza, Georgia, LLC Micro Finance Organization Credo
- Emmanuel von Arx, Ecuador, Banco D-Miro S.A.
- Jill Hall, Philippines, Center for Community Transformation Credit Cooperative (CCT)
- Jim Burke, Nicaragua, AFODENIC
- Julie Kerr, Costa Rica, FUDECOSUR
- Kim Strathearn, Turkey, Maya
- Lauren Barra, Kenya and Tanzania, Yehu Microfinance Trust and Tujijenge Tanzania Ltd.
- Laurie Young, Indonesia, VisionFund Indonesia
- Marcus Berkowitz, Ecuador, Coooperative San Jose
- Mariela Cedeno, Bolivia, CIDRE
- Rob Gradoville, Peru, Asociacion Arariwa
- Sandra Pina, Honduras, ODEF Financiera
- Tejal Desai, Sierra Leone, BRAC Sierra Leone
- Whitney Webb, Rwanda, Urwego Opportunity Bank of Rwanda (UOB)
- Casey Cline, Guatemala, Friendship Bridge
- Daniel Jung, Uganda, HOFOKAM Ltd.
- Eric Rindal, Bolivia, Emprender
- Henry Bartram, Zimbabwe, Microking Savings and Credit Company (MKF)
- Kate Bennet, Peru, Caja Rural Senor de Luren
- Kathrin Gerner, Rwanda, Amasezerano Community Banking S.A.
- Rebecca Corey, USA
