BUCKNACKT'S SORDID TAWDRY BLOG
We should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive & well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate, bier or wein in hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WHOO-HOO, WHAT A RIDE!!!!!!"
HERE are my latest loans through Kiva, and I made them as part of the NY Giants lending team! Check out Kiva and consider making a loan as part of either the NE Patriots or the NY Giants lending teams. I think the Giants will have the most loans, and will win the Super Bowl!!!!
Touchdown, Kiva!
The Super Bowl is coming, capping off one of the most exciting American football seasons in years. More about that in a minute. Much like this football season, Kiva's 2011 was a year of milestones passed, records broken, and lessons learned.
And of course, none of this would have happened without some amazing “assists” and ongoing cheering from our lenders. In November, we set a record of $8.8 million in loans funded, only to smash that record in December with $10.5 million in loans for thousands of borrowers around the world. In total, Kiva lenders funded $90 million in loans in 2011, up 26% from 2010.
It was a big year for Kiva staff and volunteers as well. Kiva staff visited over 53 countries, Kiva volunteer translators & editors performed the work of 53 full time employees, 81 Kiva Fellows spent 41,080 hours with our Field Partners, and 87 interns worked on nearly every project across every department at Kiva.
We're excited to be kicking off a New Year, with a goal to do even more in 2012. Check out our full year in review on the blog to learn more.
Are you ready for some football?
Now, to the Super Bowl! If you're not an American football fan, our non-football-loving Kivans have put together some super fascinating data about how football and Kiva surprisingly relate to one other. For the rest of you, we've got a fun proposition.
You might think that the Super Bowl is on February 5, but you're only partially correct. Starting today (January 27) at 12:01am Pacific, the Kiva Super Bowl is officially on.
The New England Patriots Lending Team is taking on the New York Giants Lending Team. The winning team is the team that lends the most money between January 27 at 12:01am and the time the last whistle is blown during the Super Bowl on February 5th. The winning team gets eternal glory, bragging rights, and the satisfaction that they've helped change a lot of lives.
So who's it going to be? Will the fans of The Patriots with Tom Brady in his record-tying fifth Super Bowl prevail? Or will the Giants faithful emulate Eli Manning to score another upset? Join a team today, invite your friends, and find out!
Doña Felipa Agueda is thirty-nine years old. She tells us that she considers herself a hard worker with dreams and the strength to make them a reality. Doña Pipa as she is best know by her group partners has been selling food for twenty five year. She sells delicious soups such as chicken and vegetable, shrimp, fresh fish and iguana. She tells us that she also sells baby clothing such as bottles, rattles, linens and hats. She is happily married to Señor Pedro, a hard working man with whom she has three children. Two of her children, Cristian and Iván, are happily married and she has a daughter, Guadalupe, who is still in school. Her daughter Guadalupe tells us that she is very proud of her mother for working to give her a better future.
Doña Felipa is requesting a loan to buy more ingredients to prepare her foods such as green chili, dried chilies, onion, garlic, tomatoes, chicken, beef, and vegetables to make salads. She is grateful to Fundación for putting their trust in her and helping her business to grow.
Marlon is the proud owner of White Lotus Home, an organic bedding company that makes mattresses, pillows and other bedding products, out of organic fiber. The original business was established in 1981 and Marlon began working at the company in 2002, becoming the sole owner in 2006. Marlon sells his products on the internet, for wholesale and in his store operated out of Highland Park, New Jersey. Marlon works with over 70 distribution partners in over 20 states. In addition, he recently began selling his products in Canada. Customers rave on his website about the quality of product and amazing customer service. Marlon needs capital to purchase bedding materials, in order to keep up with the sales growth in 2011. A loan will help him to make this purchase, also enabling business growth and new customer acquisition.
Additional information about this loan
Important information
Kiva realizes that access to credit is a challenge for entrepreneurs everywhere. Kiva started out as a website focused on developing-world entrepreneurs. In June 2009, Kiva began experimenting with allowing entrepreneurs in the United States to raise money on its website. If this is something you support, please feel free to fund this loan. If you have questions, including how an entrepreneur in your neighborhood might get a loan, please visit our Help Center and click on "Loans in the United States."
MY second loan through Kiva today. This is my second loan to someone in the U.S. As a supporter of the Occupy Wall Street and Move Your Money movements I am disgusted by the greed of wall street and the unwillingness of American financial institutions to loan to the poor, working class and middle class, preferring to sit on trillions of dollars, loaning only to the wealthy and powerful and so increasing their own wealth. So I will continue to loan to entrepreneurs in Third World countries, but I will also loan to entrepreneurs in the U.S. to put Americans back to work. Check out Kiva for a loan to an American business you might want to make.
A loan of $10,000 helps Richardto pay for construction and labor for expansion of his laundromat.
Richard, a humorous and charismatic entrepreneur, saw an opportunity to serve his community with a laundry business nine years ago. He now owns a busy and successful Laundromat in New York City. In this tough economy, he has created jobs for six people and this loan will help him offer one more position. This business is supporting Richard’s family, including his three children. Over the years, he has been able to expand the business with additional washers and dryers, but is running out of space for additional equipment.
With this loan from Accion USA, Richard will expand his Laundromat into his current office in the building to add 11 washers and 5 dryers. The loan will pay for the construction and labor as well as installation of the new equipment.
Additional information about this loan
Important information
Kiva realizes that access to credit is a challenge for entrepreneurs everywhere. Kiva started out as a website focused on developing-world entrepreneurs. In June 2009, Kiva began experimenting with allowing entrepreneurs in the United States to raise money on its website. If this is something you support, please feel free to fund this loan. If you have questions, including how an entrepreneur in your neighborhood might get a loan, please visit our Help Center and click on "Loans in the United States."
EVERY loan I have made through KIVA has been paid back or is being paid back on time. Every single one, even those made to people living in countries torn by war and political instability. Every loan paid back. Here are my 23 & 24th loans, check them out and if you have $25 to spare maybe you can make a loan too. Peace....
Andon spent most of his adolescence moving to and from different countries, including Chile, Mexico, India, and multiple states in the US. He says that along the way his family was a part of every socioeconomic class, from “third world rich” to “first world poor”. His father built oyster and shrimp hatcheries all over and taught Andon about the customs of Latin America. In 2008, Andon took a journey from Appalachia to Yucatan to learn about how he can contribute to forest restoration- this is how Andon’s non-profit, New Forest Earth, came to be.
New Forest Earth works with community cooperatives in Mexico and Ecuador to bring handcrafted, sustainable goods to customers in the United States. These goods vary from recycled paper journals, jewelry made from plants in the Amazon rainforest, and USDA organic, Rainforest Alliance certified chocolate. The goal of the business is to fund reforestation and indigenous cultural development projects. The organization has a large support group, including interns from universities and even children as young as 12, all trying to raise awareness amongst their peers.
Andon hopes to expand his business across the United States, and with this loan from Accion USA, he will purchase inventory from co-ops, which will allow him to sell more products and in turn contribute to the mission of reforestation.
Kiva realizes that access to credit is a challenge for entrepreneurs everywhere. Kiva started out as a website focused on developing-world entrepreneurs. In June 2009, Kiva began experimenting with allowing entrepreneurs in the United States to raise money on its website. If this is something you support, please feel free to fund this loan. If you have questions, including how an entrepreneur in your neighborhood might get a loan, please visit our Help Center and click on "Loans in the United States."
In this Group: Horace Omba, Jeanne Bafeti, Bernice Kavundji, Bernadette Belende, Nadine Etota, Hortance Mukoko, Pilchérie Mayitidi, Marie Kena, Marc Toko, Vicky Tshiela, Bibiche Muyenga, Wekola Becha, Jacky Kongodima, Willy Mayamba, Elia Blondel, Stéphanie Limaya, Sylvie Mbala, Esther Mansanga, Jason Mavidi, Hélène Mobeli, Claudine Lokaso, Lucie Assani
A portion of Efficacité Plus Group's $3,500 loan helps the borrower described to purchase dozens of prepaid cards to resell in order to increase his working capital.
Horace is the leader of a Community bank named “Efficacité Plus”, which is composed of 22 micro-entrepreneurs united in solidarity to receive loans from Kiva through IMF HOPE RDC, with the goal of developing their businesses.
Horace, 35 and married, sells prepaid cards. He has been in business since 1997. With hard work and good management, he has been able to stabilize his business by delivering prepaid cards in order to increase his working capital. He makes a profit of about $20 daily. Horace’s ambition is to become a prepaid cards provider in his area. As he wants to develop his business, he has decided to join one of Hope’s groups. He is planning with the next loan to purchase dozens of prepaid cards and resell them at a profit. Horace has five children whose ages vary between 9 months and 9 years old. Two of them attend school.
Additional information about this loan
This is a Group Loan
In a group loan, each member of the group receives an individual loan, but is part of a group of individuals. The group is there to provide support to the members and provides a system of peer pressure in repayments of loans. However, groups may or may not be formally bound by a group guarantee. In cases where there is a group guarantee, the members of the group are responsible for paying back the loans of their fellow group member if someone is delinquent or defaults. Learn More
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR ALL OF US, AND ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE NATIONS NOW EXPERIENCING ACTIVE STRUGGLES TO REALIZE THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS.....a link to the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights office has been added to this blog in the My Favorite Sites section....
On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the full text of which appears in the following pages. Following this historic act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories."
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge, Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.
(1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
(2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
(1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
(2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
(4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
(2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
(3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.
