“Harnessing the Power of Perspective: the Kiva Story” with Jessica Jackley
Webcast provided by Calvin College, Fremont Area Community Foundation, and the Dogwood Center.
Ms. Jackley is the co-founder of Kiva, the world’s first peer-to-peer microloan website. At Kiva.org users can make microloans directly to specific developing world entrepreneurs – who then use the moeny to start or grow a small business – and lift themselves out of poverty. Loans start at $25. Named one of the top ideas of 2006 by The New York Times Magazine, and praised by Oprah, Bill Clinton and countless others, Kiva is one of the fastest-growing social benefit websites in history.
Since its founding in 2005, it has loaned over $100 million from lenders to entrepreneurs across 182 countries. For all its success, Kiva remains animated by a simple message – to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty – and by the idea that relationships are a powerful force for positive change.
This lecture will be broadcast via webcast at the Dogwood Center from 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Admission is free.