Just the other day I watched a PBS Frontline episode about Kiva, a micro-lending non-profit that uses the web to connect lenders and borrowers. Individual lenders can see pictures and stories of loan applicants, choose which projects to fund, and track the borrowers progress on loan repayment. Even small dollar amounts can have a tremendous impact and as one lender said in the PBS segment, if their business fails or they don’t repay the loan, it’s such a small amount that I just consider it a donation. If they do repay the loan, then I can lend that money out again and feel like I am helping make a difference in someone’s life.
I thought to myself, now this is a model that makes sense, I need to add this to my list of charities to check out for 2008, and then lo and behold I see that they will be opening an office in Second Life next week!
I’ll try to find a slurl the next time I’m in-world, but the office will be opening on the Non Profit Commons island on plot #23.
That’s interesting. Kiva has more lenders than they have projects for right now, so I’m surprised that they’re expanding into SL. I wonder why.
Hey, Fleep! Thanks for the heads up on the new office party for Kiva. FYI, they have been in SL for quite a while, this is a new office, but not a new presence.
Location is Plush Nonprofit Commons 23, 233, 26.
If anyone is interested Beth Kantor did an interview with a couple of people who have been working on Kiva’s SL presence: http://beth.typepad.com/beths_blog/2007/09/kiva-in-second-.html
That’s Beth Kanter – so sorry, Beth. Gotta get a new keyboard…
Linda O: I didn’t know they had more lenders than projects, but I do know a number of other non-profit groups based in Africa, like Uthango, are in SL, so maybe they are trying to connect with more projects?
Linda Zimmer: Thanks for the link!
Thanks for posting information about Kiva’s office opening in Second Life.
For the record, Kiva in SL run 100% by volunteers. So we are in Second Life ’cause we want to be here to play. Kiva is not using any of its resources (including staff time) for this project. So this isn’t a Kiva expansion, It’s a volunteer, grassroots expansion.
We’re not sure how effective it will be, we’re still working out our SL goals, but so far its a lot of fun. And we love the new office.
Hope you all can make the party!
Julles Boucher
Julles,
Best Wishes with your KIVA presence in SL! Looking forward to connect…
Alanagh
Uthango Social Investments
[…] Fleep Tuque also noted Kiva is making a foray into Second Life, a move I think makes perfect sense, and I noted AM Radio’s charity concert featuring a very […]
Money isn’t everything — but it’s a long way ahead of what comes next.
— Sir Edmond Stockdale
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