Kiva Love – 100 Loans & Guatemala Trip | Natascha Lee Studios loves Kiva.org – Microfinance

by | Nov 10, 2011 | Children, Community, Families, Girl, Guatemala, Kiva, Outdoors, Philanthrophy, Photography, Preschooler, Smiles

I love Kiva.Org! They use microfinance loans to help people in developing countries help themselves. I had set a goal to make 100 loans by the end of the year, and I’m thrilled to say that I made it! I even decided to “amplify” my impact by doing a photosession give-away for folks who made their first Kiva loan in August 2011. (Congrats to Sam & Andre who won.) Here is a link to my loan porfolio, if you want to check out the 100 women I have loaned to over the last few years. And, here is one to Kiva.org, should you feel like making a loan yourself! Someone asked me how I got involved in microfinance to developing countries. Well, if you have read the “Giving Back” section of my website, you know that I actually grew up in developing countries like Jamaica and El Salvador.  There, I saw the difference that a small helping hand can make to someone struggling with poverty. I also had the good fortune to volunteer and work with Water For People.  I traveled with them to Guatemala, and got to see first hand the kind of impact that empowering, accountable assistance can provide. This means loans and learning rather than handouts and charity. And, because a photographer just can’t make a post without a few photos, here are some pix from my Guatemala trip:    ]]>