4 Things That Make the World Go Around...

I chose to be a Kiva Fellow so I could devote my time and skills to the cause to alleviate poverty and to have an experience of a lifetime. Fully aware that I may never have the opportunity to spend an extended period of time in the Philippines again, I also wanted to be sure that I took complete advantage of all that the country had to offer. At the top of my ‘To Do’ list was to become a scuba certified diver (and overcome my fear of being underwater). In order to check an item off my bucket list, I planned a weekend in Dumaguete, Negros, to get my scuba diving license. On the way I met Mike Stone who got me to think about the four things that make the world go around… time, love, money and energy.

Continue reading on the Kiva Fellows Blog!

O is for Opportunity

When I decided to apply for the Kiva Fellowship, I had ‘opportunity’ on my mind. I wanted to be a Fellow so I could become a channel through which disadvantaged people could connect to a network of financial support, thereby presenting them with the chance to improve their lives. Though I came to the province of Bohol envisioning the most effective opportunities to take the form of financial transactions, I have, on several occasions, witnessed other means of empowering underprivileged Filipinos.

To read more about the opportunities available to blind, deaf and disabled individuals in Bohol visit the Kiva Fellows Blog. 

Island Life - Where's the Glamour In That?

It was a typical bright and sunny morning as I walked down the Talibon Pier towards the tiny boat that would take me island hopping for the day. I was greeted by six smiling loan officers already seated inside the boat; they watched as I maneuvered myself down steep sloping rocks, balanced on a beam to cross the water, and finally jumped onto the boat that would take me on an incredible forty-five minute ride through the Philippine Sea…

After a few stops and many laughs, we arrived at Nocnocan Island – a tiny island that is only accessible by boat. We pulled up on the shore and walked through a maze of homes and shops, the alleys approximately three and a half feet wide. At the cluster meeting house, where the CEVI borrowers gather on a weekly basis, I was able to learn about island life and how the microfinance loans were making an impact on the Nocnocan community.

Read More on the Kiva Fellows Blog!

Unlocking the Potential: Islamic Finance in the Philippines

“We have Muslim brothers who avail (financial) services but the way they avail (these loans) is against our culture, against our beliefs.” ~Muslim leader, Davao, Mindanao
 
Islam first reached the southern shores of the Philippines during the 14^th century and played a critical role in unifying kinship groups in several Filipino communities. With stronger networks of brotherhood and newfound Islamic faith, these communities were able to resist colonization by Spain and America for over 400 years, preserving their culture and religion. Today, though the majority of Muslim communities are concentrated in the southern portion of the Philippines archipelago, some reside in pockets throughout the islands; Filipino Muslims comprise approximately 5% (4.7 million) of the Filipino population (Roces, 2009).

Recognizing the need for a loan product more suitable to Muslim borrowers, CEVI has recently developed and launched an Islamic Finance product that is being piloted in Davao, Mindanao.

To read more about CEVI's course in expanding outreach to Muslim clients, please visit the Kiva Fellows Blog. 

Bonus Photo!

The first 10 Muslim clients involved in the pilot alongside the local Muslim leader, Chairman of World Vision, and Head of DMI. Photo courtesy of the CEVI Davao Branch.

Let's Hear the Clients' Voices

Social performance management (SPM) has become an increasingly important topic in the microfinance sector – concerned donors, funders, and individuals alike have been paying close attention to how microfinance institutions (MFIs) balance their financial and social goals. In order to get clients’ perspectives, our team at Community Economic Ventures, Inc. (CEVI) conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) with members across the 5 CEVI branches in the province of Bohol.

We developed interview guides/modules based on the CERISE SPI tool – creating questions and group exercises related to the following topics: products and services, policies, over-indebtedness, staff relations, feedback and communication, client benefits, community development and child well-being. Over a span of four days, our team was able to collect data and feedback from client groups to gain a better understanding of how CEVI is perceived by those it aims to serve.

To read more and see pictures, visit the Kiva Fellows Blog!

Kiva’s Asia-Pacific Conference – Social Performance, Poverty Assessment & the Frog Dance

As with most Kiva lenders, we believe in microfinance as a poverty alleviation tool. A tool to help the communities it serves by lending money to entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, and improve their incomes. We hope our money is going to MFIs who are looking out for the borrowers, not profiting off their backs. But how can we be sure? How do we know an MFI is achieving its social goals? And as an MFI, how can you monitor your social performance?


To read more (and for pictures) check out the Kiva Fellows Blog.

Financial Diaries of the Poor

How do 2.7 billion people manage to live on $2 a day? Jonathan Morduch and his research team tracked how approximately 300 poor families in urban and rural Bangladesh, India and South Africa manage their money.

How to live on $2 a day

 

Happy 5th Birthday Kiva!

Community Economic Ventures, Inc wishes Kiva a very happy birthday! Since we couldn't be in San Francisco to celebrate, we had our own mini-celebration :)



Read more about Kiva's 5 for 5 challenge for the month of October - if you get 5 new friends to make a loan on Kiva this month, you get $25 Kiva credit in your account.

Filipino Superstition: Twinanas

According to Filipino superstition, a woman who consumes a twin banana (or 'twinana' as I like to call it) will give birth to twins. However, if a woman has no desire to give birth to twins and would like to consume the twinana, she must simply split the twin bananas behind her back. I decided to test this theory - if I end up having twins, we'll know why!

I must also say that the twinana was the sweetest set of bananas I've ever had! So yummy!

A Sweet Recipe: Mango Ice Candy

Story:

Ice candy is just another term for a fruity popsicle. Given the heat and humidity of the Philippines, ice candy is rampant and can be found at sari-sari (variety) stores, carinderias (eateries) and even on street corners. Ice candy is easy to make and very economical, especially when made in large batches. After a long day of sightseeing around Bohol, staff members from CEVI and I decided to cool off by preparing frozen treats for ourselves. It was a sweet way to end our day!

Recipe:

Prep Time: 15-20 minutes, Yield: 15 servings

Ingredients:

    * 2 cans (500 ml) evaporated milk

    * 3 mangoes or seasonal fruit of your choice

    * 1 can (168 ml) condensed milk

    * approximately 1.5 cups water

    * approximately 1 tablespoon sugar

    * 15, 1 ¾ x 10 plastic ice candy bags

Preparation:

1.     If you have a blender, slice the fruit into large pieces and chop to your liking. If you do not have a blender, slice the mangoes into very small pieces with a sharp knife. Scoop fruit into large bowl.

2.     Mix fruit, evaporated milk and condensed milk in a large bowl.

3.     Slowly add water and sugar – stir till mixture is even and taste. You may add more/or less water and sugar till the mix is to your liking.

4.     Place a funnel at the opening of the ice candy bag, holding the casing tightly so that the mixture does not spill out. Fill the ice candy bags to your desired height, but be sure to keep 6-7 cm (about 4 fingers across) at the top to make room for the knot.

5.     Make a secure knot at the top of each bag to properly seal. Twist the plastic just above the point where the mixture levels off. As you pinch the twisted plastic with your thumb and forefinger, wrap the top part over your thumb and tuck it under, pulling it through the loop. Make certain that the knot is tight to prevent bags from leaking.

6.     Once all your ice candy bags are filled, rinse them off with water to remove excess mixture. Then lay them on a flat surface in the freezer till fully set.

Serve when you feel like enjoying something sweet or would like to cool off from the heat!

Note: If you prefer to make smaller ice candies, you can purchase smaller plastic bags. This recipe makes about 15 large ice candies. 

Why go to the fish market?

When the fish market will come to you!

At first, I couldn’t understand what was being announced over the megaphone so when I walked out onto the dirt road, I was shocked to find two men on tricycle selling fish! They had a microphone and radio hooked up to speakers, luring customers by incorporating their special of the day into their karaoke routine.

I’m pretty sure that the locals were amused by my excitement for the mobile fish market since it is quite typical for vendors in remote areas to use similar tactics to sell their goods. But wow, what a clever way to market and sell products!

Exclusive Interview with a Filipina Farmer

During my visit to Trinidad, Bohol I was able to meet with Josefina. She is a successful businesswoman who owns a sari-sari (general) store and has a farm with coconut fields, rice fields, a vegetable garden and various livestock. Clearly being a client of CEVI has done her some good!

If you're interested in learning how rice is planted, watch the VIDEO in my latest blog post on the Kiva Fellows Blog.

Hinagdanan Cave & Bohol Bee Farm

Since I was eager to explore popular tourist attractions closer to Tagbilaran City, RJane (Kiva Coordinator at CEVI) and I arranged for a little trip to the Hinagdanan Cave and Bohol Bee Farm one sunny Saturday.

The Hinagdanan Cave is located in Dauis, Bohol on Panglao Island. We were greeted by Ray, one of the cave tour guides (who also happens to be a camera expert!) who led us into the 1600 year old cavern. It took me a few moments to get acclimated – it was pitch black, hot and very humid. I tried my best to quell my paranoia about being surrounded by bats – the sound of flapping wings drumming in my ears. Ray, sensing that RJane and I were convinced we’d get attacked by bats reassured us that there were no bats in the cave, only sparrows (who’s nests are highly sought after to be used in bird’s nest soup – a delicacy). 

The next 45 minutes included a mini-hike/photo shoot over stalagmites and under stalactites. As Ray led us through the cave, he would direct us to prime photo spots, having us pose in the darkness while he fidgeted with our cameras to get the perfect shot. He made it up the limestone rocks so effortlessly, leaving RJane and myself feeling like we should’ve come better prepared with our sneakers.

After we explored the Hinagdanan Cave we learned that it's filled with various contaminants. We hope we didn't cause any permanent damage to ourselves!

 As we made it deeper into the cave, we noticed shafts of natural light from openings atop - swallows swooping in and out of the openings. The deep lagoon at the center of the cave where visitors commonly swim was empty, save the little fish we would occasionally see pop to the surface. 

With our fabulous tour guide, Ray.

After our guided tour, we thanked Ray and proceeded to our next destination - the Bohol Bee Farm.

The Bohol Bee Farm is a little haven for those who enjoy being surrounded by nature and eating organic food. We took a guided tour through the organic farm, learned more than we ever wanted to know about the mating patterns of bees, and enjoyed a wonderful lunch overlooking the ocean.

To Have a Servant’s Heart: The Essence of Customer Service

When you’re in the business of microfinance, you’re in the business of relationship building. Microfinance institutions (MFIs) must rely on a vast network of relationships between stakeholders - clients, lenders, donors, employees, etc – in order to provide financial services to the poor and fulfill their other objectives.

Pastor Boris Joaquin, World Vision’s Director of Publics in Ministry, shared his insight on how to exceed customers’ expectations with Community Economic Ventures, Inc (CEVI) during an intensive workshop. Forty-seven CEVI staff members, including branch managers, area managers, and top management, met at JJ’s Seafood in Tagbilaran City to discuss Customer Service 101.

To continue reading and see pictures from the event, check out my blog post on the Kiva Fellows Blog!

Kiva Update #1

Working at CEVI these past few weeks has been a delight. After familiarizing myself with the workflow and operations, I had the opportunity to initiate a conversation with the Marketing and Communications Department regarding their current processes and strategies for the CEVI-Kiva Partnership. Over the span of two days, we met to discuss and develop a strategic plan for fiscal year 2011.

Ruby Jane and Elvira focused on the topics at hand.

Jonar Dorado (Director of CEVI) noting targets and objectives.

Lunch break - time to refuel!  It's been a long morning and we need sustenance!

I also had the chance to attend two borrower cluster meetings in the town of Baclayon. The women entrepreneurs were warm and welcoming - they were excited by my presence and willing to share their stories with me.

I was able to interview five women and although some shared similar business interests, none of their stories were the same. Each woman invited me into her personal life, giving me a glimpse of her family, the challenges she faces, and her plans for the future.

Putting my interviewing skills to the test.

Group photo with the Taguihon Cluster.

Sharing some laughs!

Hut where the Santa Cruz Cluster meets.

Group photo with the Santa Cruz Cluster. And someone's dog!

Enjoy what you read?  If so, please support CEVI borrowers!

M-PESA Mobile Money Video

Really great video on how mobile banking is changing the face of banking in Kenya!

M-PESA Mobile Money Video

Lucky Number Seven

I can’t believe that it’s already been one week since I first set foot on the archipelago known as the Philippines. My orientation to Filipino culture has predominantly been through my interaction with staff from CEVI, people I have come to know as my friends.

7 days, 7 takeaways. I’ve come up with a few basic tips for myself that I hope will enable me to delve deeper into the Boholano¹ way of life.

1. Be open to a spiritual experience.
CEVI is distinct from other microfinance institutions in that it is a Christian organization – prayer, stewardship, and servant-hood are core values that staff members uphold. Saying grace before every meeting or meal and holding devotional sessions every morning is the norm. I am constantly reminded of how blessed I have been and why I am here.

2. Learn how to carry a tune.
Boholanos(as) absolutely love to sing! Whether they are walking down the street or sitting at their desk, it is common for them to just burst into song.

3. Be prepared for heavy downpour at all times of the day (or night).
Typhoon season in the Philippines lasts from June till December – fortunately, Bohol lies just south of “Typhoon Street” and therefore is hit by typhoons only on occasion. That being said, the weather can be extremely unpredictable and the clouds can burst open at any moment. Soon after, the mosquitoes come out to play!

4. Be ready to diversify my palette.
I came to the Philippines ready and excited to try some balut (more to follow in another post), but I decided that it would be best to slowly experiment with Filipino cuisine. I must say, that so far, the food here has been fantastic! Exotic fruits, plain sticky RICE, meats and fish prepared in various styles, breads of all kinds, sweet sticky RICE, vegetable dishes, desserts and pastries, and more RICE.

5. Malling is where it’s at.
What is ‘malling’ you may ask? Well, the concept is quite simple. Malling is the act of going to the mall, a very popular pastime for Filipinos. I have visited Bohol Quality (BQ) Mall and Island City Mall (ICM) six out of the seven days I have been here so far. I'm proud to say that I have this one down.
Clarification:  The malls have restaurants that are considered safe places for me to dine at - not to worry, I haven't been going on shopping sprees! 

6. Not only am I an ambassador for Kiva, but I am a cultural ambassador as well.
My coworkers are very eager to learn about my experiences and upbringing as an Indian-American, in addition to the expertise I bring with me as a Kiva Fellow. There are a few Indian nationals in Tagbilaran City yet I represent something quite different from my coworkers’ perceptions of Indian people – perceptions that are partially informed by Slum Dog Millionaire. On my first day at CEVI, we discussed arranged marriages in India (a tradition that would never fly with Filipinos) and I have already had the pleasure of introducing my coworkers to some Bollywood jams!

7. Befriend the locals aka the bugs and lizards.
This one is probably the most challenging for me but I think I’ve been pretty good so far. I’ve done my best to suppress the anxiety I feel when I see lizards hanging on my wall and to convince myself that baby lizards the size of my pinky are cute. I will admit that I don’t see myself warming up to any bugs anytime soon, but hopefully I'll become more tolerant.

¹ Boholano is a term used to describe a person who is from or lives on the island of Bohol.

Lightning Strikes Tagbilaran! Really short clip. It's literally 3 seconds long.

Mabuhay! Greetings from Tagbilaran City, Bohol!

Be sure to log on to Kiva.org to lend to borrowers from Community Economic Ventures (CEVI)!

Did Someone Say Sushi?

I have finally landed at Narita Aiport in Tokyo, Japan. It’s officially Thursday here. I managed to keep myself up through the entire duration of the flight save about an hour but I’m surprisingly quick to wipe the groggy expression off my face.

As soon as I step out of the gate, the first two gates I pass by contain passengers traveling to San Francisco and Los Angeles, respectively. It’s strange that I won’t be able to visit either of those cities for the next 5 months. Strange that San Francisco, a place I call home, has instantly become this far away land that I won’t be able to experience till 2011. Most times when I think about home (San Francisco) and I’m in another country, I get nostalgic and sad even. Oddly enough, this time I feel none of those sentiments. I must really be ready for this change.

I’m a little rusty this time around – it feels like it’s been ages since I last traveled internationally. I make it out into the terminal and quickly get confused by the map that neatly lays out the gates, lounges, and shops. It doesn’t help that most of the signs are in Japanese script. So, I make my way over to the information counter to get some clarification as to where I should be heading and then take another stab at getting to my destination.

As I get off the escalator, I see a familiar face! Lina, another Kiva Fellow en route to Cambodia, is just as lost as I am. We join forces and manage to make it to the Sakura Lounge, laughing about how our paranoia of forgetting supplies to pack has us embarrassed, with two massive luggage pieces each. It's comforting to know that we're not alone though. We spend the next hour and a half chatting about the crazy weather we’re about to experience in our respective placements, exchanging travel tips, and discussing the best methods to coordinate travel around South East Asia (since we have an amazing group of Fellows in the same region). Finally, it's time to part ways, but the coincidence was a fun one!

View from the Sakura Lounge at Narita International Airport - blurry because of the rain!

I’m Leaving On A Jet Plane.. Don’t worry, I’ll be back again!

My seemingly chaotic life has temporarily come to a standstill now that I am officially in transit to the Philippines.

The past few weeks have been an absolute whirlwind – I left my job at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Menlo Park, took the GMAT, and attended an intense week-long training session at Kiva headquarters in San Francisco, all while preparing for my 5 month hiatus from my life in California.

I now have thirty-six hours till I reach my final destination - Tagbilaran City, Bohol, where I will serve as a Kiva Fellow at Community Economic Ventures, Inc (CEVI).

As a Kiva Fellow, I will have the opportunity to engage in microfinance as a tool for poverty alleviation on a personal level, facilitate connections between lenders and borrowers by increasing transparency in the Kiva process, and help increase efficiency at CEVI through trainings, among other things.

For those of you who are less familiar with microfinance, microfinance consists of several different financial services for the poor. Microcredit, which is what Kiva focuses on, is the process of disbursing small loans to poor people so that they can utilize that capital to become self-sufficient and repay their loans in a manageable way. Through microlending, poor people can begin to break away from the cycle of poverty that their families have faced for generations. This is what excites me most about it!

As I guide you through my adventures in South East Asia, I ask you all to do something for me in return – please share your thoughts with me! I would love to get as interactive on this blog as possible so if you have any questions or suggestions please don’t hesitate to share! I want to share this experience with each and every one of you and even though you can’t be out here with me, I urge you to join in and make this your journey as well.

Introducing the latest Kiva Fellows!

Just completed training at Kiva headquarters in San Francisco and it's been quite an intense learning experience. I can't wait to put my skills and knowledge to use once abroad!

KF12 Ready for the field!  Picture compliments of Eric Brandt.

Kiva Fellows, Gabriel Francis and John Murphy (KF12) did a phenomenal job describing our week in their posts '37 New Brushes to Paint the World' and '12th Class Kiva Fellows Training Week Recap', respectively.

Kiva Fellowship Motivation Statement

I would like to serve in the Kiva Fellowship program because it will give me the opportunity to empower the poor of underdeveloped countries by providing them with access to capital for their small businesses.

My grandfather peddled to nearby villages selling essential goods in order to feed his family of six and maintain his small flat. Yet, despite the fact that my grandparents were illiterate and faced financial hardships, they saw potential in my father and encouraged him to pursue an education.  Not only was my father the first member of his family to go to college, he also managed to secure a scholarship to earn his doctorate degree and eventually established himself as a successful entrepreneur in America.

My father’s story has been an inspiration to me.  If my father hadn’t seized the opportunities that in turn road-mapped his life, I wouldn’t be where I am today.  As a Kiva Fellow, I will become a channel through which the underprivileged will be able to connect to a network of financial support, thereby presenting them with desperately needed opportunities.

Coming from humble means, my parents have instilled in me the same values they were raised with, and have always stressed the importance of service.  During visits to India I observed women and children begging on the streets, while in San Francisco and Berkeley I witnessed men and women huddled on street corners in the dead of winter.  Cognizant of the distress around me, I have tried to alleviate it by volunteering my time at shelters and organizing groups to assemble and distribute holiday care packages.  I realize, however, that while I have provided temporary relief to those in need, I am capable of offering much more.

My desire to make a positive impact on society has been inherent in every career decision and volunteer effort I have engaged in.  Though all of my research positions are distinct from one another, the overarching theme among them has been to improve the delivery of healthcare to individuals.  As an Executive Chair for the Cal Undergraduate Public Health Coalition, I coordinated events to promote public health on campus and at local schools.  This past year, I organized the Relay for Life event in Newark, CA to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.

The Kiva Fellowship will offer me the opportunity to completely immerse myself in the cause to eradicate poverty, by encouraging individuals and their families to create self-sustaining lifestyles. Additionally, it will serve as a stepping-stone that will help me pursue my goal of working for a nonprofit that further enables social improvement.  Not only will I bring with me my varied experiences, dedication and perseverance, but I also bring with me a passion for social mobility.  I would like to be considered as a Kiva Fellow so that I can help empower individuals.  In the past I may have fed someone for a day, but now I would like to teach a society to feed themselves for a lifetime.

Written by Kaajal Laungani as part of her Kiva Fellowship Application in October 2009.