Showing 1-8 of 8 results
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Taro: The Story of A Starchy Potato
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 20 December 2009
By Agnes Chu, KF9, Samoa They say that one of the best ways to learn about a culture is through its food. If that is true, then Samoa should be investigated through taro. Taro is king in Samoa and in Polynesia. It is to Samoans what the potato is to the Irish, what rice is [...]
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Kiva Love Machine Leads to Visiting Samoa
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 8 December 2009
By Alex Duong, KF9, Vietnam I’m going to let you in on a secret: Kiva is one big hunk of love. Understanding the phrase ‘Kiva love machine’ sheds light on what motivates the work of Kiva fellows everyday. Why does Rebecca Corey rise at 5:30AM to catch the bus to work? Why does Thomas Gold risk [...]
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How can they afford this? Remittances, really. (Part 2 of 3 of the Remittance Series)
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 24 November 2009
By Agnes Chu In 2007, out of all the countries in the world, Samoa received the 7th highest amount of remittances as a percentage of GDP (22.8%). The following is a look at remittances in Samoa, part two of a three part series on remittances in developing countries. Part one, which is Rob’s excellent post [...]
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Three Earthquakes Spell Climate Change and perhaps the Wrath of God
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 28 October 2009
by Agnes Chu, KF9, Samoa Since the infamous earthquake that caused the tsunami in Samoa on Sept. 29, there have been three more earthquakes felt here. They are minor but no less nerve-wracking. As the ground jolts for a few seconds, people, including senior management, rush out of the office and some stay in [...]
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Fa’a Samoa
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 2 October 2009
By Agnes Chu, KF9, Samoa My placement in Samoa was supposed to be a quiet one. A tiny country smaller than Rhode Island, Samoa is part of the group of Polynesian islands that are usually associated with the words “dream vacation” or “exotic getaway.” Samoa is located in the “calm zone” of the Pacific and the [...]
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The Sundance Island: A Photo Essay of Samoa
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 12 August 2009
By Athan Makansi - KF8 – SPBD, Samoa A picture captures a thousand words. Here are a few thousand words from my past 9 weeks with Kiva Partner South Pacific Business Development in Samoa: Although poor, Samoa has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Bright, white sand, dotted with fallen coconuts and perfected by [...]
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Grandma’s Question
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 3 August 2009
By: Athan Makansi – KF8 – SPBD, Samoa A few days ago my grandmother sent me an email: Athie, Thank you for your updates. I have really enjoyed reading them. I was wondering, from your experience in Samoa, do you think poverty is a state of mind? Also do you think the women borrowers gain a sense of [...]
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Where are the S’mores?
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 19 June 2009
Athan Makansi – KF8 – Apia, Samoa Jump on the Samoan time machine and watch as a few neighbors help prepare a delicious meal of taro, breadfruit, coconut cream, potatoes, chicken and tuna in a giant fire pit as Samoans have for many, many years. But no, Samoans don’t make s’mores. Talofa (Hello), from Samoa. I arrived [...]
Showing 1-8 of 8 results
