- Page 1 of 2
- Next
Showing 1-25 of 42 results
-
To Kiva Fellow or not to Kiva Fellow. Eso e’ la pregunta.
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 21 November 2011
By Robert Gradoville, KF16, Peru Should I become a Kiva Fellow? I imagine a lot of the Stories From The Field blog followers have considered applying to the Fellowship, or have wondered what the comparison is between the Kiva Fellows Program to similar volunteer or development programs abroad. This may include the Peace Corps, overseas research grants, overseas workshops on topics in development, Fulbright Fellowships, Rotary Scholarships, and possibly service-learning trips if you are currently students. The list goes on and on.
-
Things to do in the Dominican Republic
Blog: Pommie Travels - 4 November 2011
Several years ago I went to the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean on a cheap all-inclusive package deal. It [...]
-
The Pros and Cons of Microfinance – A View From The Field (Part 2)
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 24 May 2011
This is the second of a three-part article on ‘The Pros and Cons of Microfinance - A View From The Field’. The first part concentrated on the pros. The second will focus on the cons. Most of the cons described below demonstrate one thing; microfinance assists on a micro level but is unable to affect macro-level influences. The latter are the main reason that people are impoverished in the first place.
-
The Pros and Cons of Microfinance – A View From The Field (Part 1)
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 23 May 2011
The article will be published in 3 parts. The first will concentrate on the pros of microfinance, the second on the cons, and the third on what I perceive to be the best conditions for successful microfinance.
-
Ponce de Leon – Damn Deadly Vagabond
Blog: Vagobond.com - 23 April 2011
It might be pushing it to call Ponce de Leon a vagabond since he was a career soldier, but in terms of dreams and adventure, certainly he fits the bill as someone who not only traveled broadly, but was foolish enough to chase the fountain of youth.
-
Update from the Field: Videos, Epic Commutes + Going Beyond Microfinance
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 28 February 2011
Compiled by Alexis Ditkowsky, KF14, South Africa Another week, another incredible range of dispatches from around the world.
-
Video Blog – The Life Of A Kiva Fellow
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 21 February 2011
by Nick Hamilton, KF14 When it comes to blogging, a new pastime of mine, I often go a bit heavy on the word count. Not this time. This is a video blog and so I’ll let the video do the talking.
-
Bayahibe,Dominican Republic
Blog: Pommie Travels - 30 January 2011
How’s this for a beach! Powder white sand that squeaks under your feet, palm trees swaying in the breeze, clear turquoise waters as warm as the bath tub and bright blue skies…sometimes you think it’s only possible in Photoshopped holiday brochures.
-
Voodoo Doctor in the Dominican Republic
Blog: Pommie Travels - 30 January 2011
I thought I’d share with you this photo of a Voodoo doctor or ‘witch doctor’ in the Dominican Republic. I went on the Monster Truck Safari a few years back and they took us to this voodoo doctor, who has supposedly been consulted by famous celebrities. People come from all over to see this man [...]
-
Kiva Fellows: Kicking off 2011 Around the World
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 1 January 2011
By Kiva Fellows, Various corners of the globe Around the world, Kiva Fellows are kicking off 2011 in all sorts of different ways. Here’s what a handful of KF13-ers are doing to ring in the New Year. Enjoy and Happy 2011!
-
The Making Of A Kiva Christmas Song
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 19 December 2010
A couple of weeks ago I found myself without internet for three days. Determined not to let this beat me (internet is often pretty essential for a Kiva Fellow) I tried to think of ways to stay productive. Naturally, the first idea that came into my head was to write a Kiva Christmas song.
-
Loan Officers – Kiva’s Unsung Heroes
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 13 December 2010
Before beginning my placement as a Kiva Fellow, I tended to view the Kiva model simply in terms of members lending to borrowers and borrowers paying back. It was hard to envisage the intricacies of an MFI’s operations and what goes into facilitating a loan. In my eyes the MFI was the middle man; an amorphous mass that made things happen. Of course, the simple fact is that without MFIs Kiva would not exist.Of course, the simple fact is that without MFIs Kiva would not exist.
-
A Picture Paints 1,120 Words
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 29 November 2010
By Nick Hamilton, KF13, Dominican Republic and Haiti Having spent a lot of time speaking with borrowers during the week, I decided to spend Friday in the office. Kiva Fellows are required to complete an extensive list of ‘deliverables’ and I was aware that I still had a lot to deliver. I had just begun [...]
-
Great Expectations, Unexpected Revelations
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 16 November 2010
When Kiva asked whether I’d consider a Fellowship in the Dominican Republic, my first instinct was to head to Google. I’d never been to the Caribbean and knew very little about this small country. After my initial search, Google asked whether I’d like to view some images of the DR and lured me in with 4 or 5 thumbnails. Each contained something that doesn’t exist in my country (the UK): the sun. I don’t think I got past the first page of pictures.
-
Sancocho: the most impressive meat stew ever
Blog: Midwesterner in Mexico - 18 August 2010
One of my MBA class friends here in Mexico City is married to a woman from the Dominican Republic. For Rodolfo’s birthday last year, his wife made an amazing Dominican creation known as Sancocho de las Siete Carnes. John and I were invited to the Gran Sancochada (as apparently one calls the event at which [...]
-
Baseballs and candy (a very special repayment meeting)
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 2 August 2010
by Magdalena Malinowska, KF11 Dominican Republic It started at 10 am on a Thursday in Monoguayabo, a dusty industrial neighborhood of Santo Domingo. But first I had to get there and that took a long while, but it was worth it because the Luz de Madre Group’s meeting turned out to be unforgettable. There was nothing out of the ordinary about the series of unthinkably beat up vehicles well beyond their expiration dates still serving as daily transport for hours at end.
-
Buying Air Tickets – How to find the best flights and cheapest fares
Blog: My Little Nomads - 29 July 2010
Tips, advice and great web sites for finding the best airlines and cheapest prices for your next vacation.READ MORE AT: Buying Air Tickets – How to find the best flights and cheapest fares Most popular post: The 5 Best Greek Islands for Kids and Families
-
Fourteen months in four countries - from a nine-year-old's perspective
Blog: Fourteen months, four countries, and three kids - Tales from the Field - 24 July 2010
This is a letter from Soraya, my nine-year-old twin daughter to her grandmother, telling all about our fourteen months in four countries. She told me I could post it online.Saturday, July 24, 2010Dear Grandma,
-
Tatiana's letter to Grandma about Our 14 Months Abroad
Blog: Fourteen months, four countries, and three kids - Tales from the Field - 24 July 2010
As the last assignment in their home schooling for the year, I asked my three daughters to write a letter to Grandma telling her about their fourteen months abroad. I wanted to see what they found most interesting about the year. I asked Tatiana if I could post hers online. She agreed. This is the letter from Tatiana, one of my nine-year old twins, to Grandma.
-
This blog is not about the relief efforts in Haiti.
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 15 July 2010
By Magdalena Malinowska, KF11 Dominican Republic It’s about micro-lending. Is providing credit to small businesses in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere even a possibility? Well, it’s actually a reality, and one that’s old news! The Dominican non-profit MFI, Esperanza Internacional, has been working on helping Haitians break the cycle of poverty since it expanded its operations there in May of 2006.
-
The World Cup playoffs: Haiti vs. the Dominican Republic?
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 4 July 2010
By Magdalena Malinowska, KF11 Dominican Republic What shape does the World Cup fever take in the Dominican Republic? No shape or form - is the answer! There is very little (to none) interest in this baseball-dominated country in the events that have been captivating the people of endless countries all over the globe for the past several weeks.
-
A lovely day at the beach in Boca Chica
Blog: Fourteen months, four countries, and three kids - Tales from the Field - 8 May 2010
After nearly three weeks in the Dominican Republic, we finally made it to the beach! The beach at Boca Chica is just a 45 minute bus ride from Duarte, in central Santo Domingo. Once we were ready to go, we hailed a cab in front of our house that took us to the bus station. The cab driver offered to take us all the way to Boca Chica for 1,000 pesos (US$28), but we declined the offer. Instead, we boarded an air-conditioned gua-gua (bus) that charges 60 pesos (US$2) a person, and had a nice, cool, fast ride to Boca Chica.
-
The Children’s Museum in Santo Domingo: Lots of learning, less fun
Blog: Fourteen months, four countries, and three kids - Tales from the Field - 8 May 2010
The Children’s Museum in Santo Domingo is a worthwhile trip if you have small children, but don’t count on spending the whole afternoon there. The museum consists of a guided tour that does not last more than an hour. The Museo Infantil Trampolin's motto is "Where learning is fun," yet the focus is more on learning than on fun.
-
A Sociologist on the Move: Fourteen Months, Four Countries, and Three Kids
Blog: Fourteen months, four countries, and three kids - Tales from the Field - 8 May 2010
On May 27, 2009, I began a long trip with my family. Over the next 14 months, we would be living in four countries, beginning with nearly three months in Kingston, Jamaica. Our journey has not been easy all of the time, but it has never been dull, with one adventure after another. Thankfully, we have had the good fortune of meeting many people whose good will has made these fourteen months abroad much easier and more productive.
-
Boca Chica looks less nice after seeing the north coast
Blog: Fourteen months, four countries, and three kids - Tales from the Field - 8 May 2010
