Thursday, November 15, 2012

Meet the Kiva Coordinators making change happen in the field

Kiva is all about connecting lenders and borrowers to alleviate poverty. But a lot of other people work to make these connections possible.

Some of the major unsung heroes are our Kiva Coordinators. Called KCs, these extraordinary individuals are the point people at our Field Partners who work with loan officers to gather photos and stories to post on Kiva for the global community to support.

We couldn't be more grateful for all the extra-mile work KCs do to fuel Kiva's mission. So we'd like to take a moment to thank some of the super stars who have really gone above and beyond to make sure clients are well-represented on Kiva and getting the funding and services they need.

Below, meet these KCs and hear from them firsthand about why they love their work.

Memory, Zambia
Zoona



Beyond mastering the basics of being a Kiva Coordinator, Memory has innovated above and beyond expectations around journaling. She frequently uses video, which gives lenders the opportunity to see borrowers in action after they've received their loans. She also uses SMS messaging to collect information for journal entries, which makes the process faster and more efficient.

Kiva: What do Zoona’s clients like most about the services you offer to them?

Memory: I believe consumers love the services that we provide at Zoona because we offer a way for them to send and receive money transfers through our cash agent network in a very easy and friendly environment with lower fees and reduced risks.


Lourdes, Bolivia
Pro Mujer Bolivia



Lourdes is a pleasure to work with. She's diligent, proactive and extremely responsive. She also understands the value of the ProMujer/Kiva partnership, and actively works to strengthen the bond. She's dedicated to ProMujer's mission, and it shows in everything she does.

Kiva: What's the secret to your success as a Kiva Coordinator?

Lourdes: The fusion of ProMujer and Kiva has expanded the possibilities for Latin American women to improve their lives. Because of this, I have a responsibility to work together in a team, be organized and achieve the goals to be able to continue the pact that these two organizations have made.


Zeruya, Indonesia
MUK



Zeruya’s commitment to Kiva was obvious when he had computer problems preventing him from uploading a CSV with MUK’s repayment report. Instead of giving up, he reported each repayment individually to ensure that Kiva had accurate information. This dedication and his willingness to go above and beyond to get the job done, have made Zeruya an exceptionally strong Kiva Coordinator.

Kiva: What do you enjoy most about being the Kiva Coordinator for MUK?

Zeruya: I really enjoy working as a Kiva Coordinator because I can meet a lots of people, local and abroad, many clients and understand their characters. Because of my work with Kiva, I know about the internet. Before, I did not know anything about the internet. I can go to different places, and thanks to Kiva, I can go to abroad.

We look forward to bringing you more stories of the people who help make Kiva possible around the world. Have questions about our trusty Kiva Coordinators? Send them to blog@kiva.org.