A project from entrepreneur to entrepreneur.
For every professional contract concluded with a new company, P&P, as the bearer of opportunities, will allocate a contribution to finance an initiative on the other side of the world.
Why the Kiva project was born
In recent years, more and more employers feel that they are “Zen entrepreneurs”, i.e. entrepreneurs who, although driven by specific economic goals, want to contribute to the sustainability of the planet’s ecosystem, feeling that they are part of something bigger.
And this is why the project of social entrepreneurship in developing countries was born: a hand outstretched from entrepreneur to entrepreneur.
Concrete help in the form of microcredit to support work projects in countries where receiving a bank loan to start a new business or initiative is extremely difficult due to the absence or inadequacy of the guarantees offered by applicants.
Kiva is a non-profit organization founded in San Francisco in 2005 in the wake of the initiative undertaken in the past by Muhammad Yunus, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006, who made loans to women in 1974 after Bangladesh was hit by a violent flood followed by severe famine. The women produced bamboo baskets and thanks to the loan, which they repaid in full, they were able to boost their business and recover decently. From that first experience, the Grameen Bank was born, which to this day grants microcredits to support entrepreneurship and social inclusion and from whose example other initiatives were born, among which, that of Kiva.
How Kiva’s financing is managed
100% of every dollar that is lent to Kiva is allocated to the funded project. Kiva covers the costs mainly through optional donations, as well as through the support of grants and sponsors. The not-for-profit organization provides loans to borrowers in more than 80 countries who are often financially excluded and have no access to other fair and affordable sources of credit. Borrowers work in many industries. They can be farmers, artisans, students, tradesmen, builders or restaurant owners. Many Kiva borrowers work in multiple jobs to generate enough income to support their families.
Why the loan and not the donation
Kiva chose the loan and not the donation to help these people realize their dream because it is considered one of the most powerful and sustainable ways to create an economic and social wellbeing that creates a partnership of mutual dignity and makes it easy to touch more lives with the same dollar, because, once financed one loan and repaid, another can be financed immediately after.
Updates relating to the projects financed thanks to your contribution
Jarunee has make hammock weaving her primary source of income. She is proud of her craft and especially enjoys making the Signature style hammocks that are sold by Yellow Leaf Hammocks. She has used her income to cover daily household expenses and provide for her family.
Your loan to Pawame enabled the company to weather the significant challenges posed by COVID-19, to provide solar electricity to rural and periurban Kenyan families through a network of about 250 commission-based sales agents operating from 15 distribution centers across 14 counties, to implement a new employee health insurance program, and to pay salaries.
We're excited to share that Kuli Kuli's line of superfood powders are now available at Walmart.
We know that over 60% of Americans shop at Walmart, and we're thrilled to be bringing our superfood products to this large audience.
Thanks for all you do!
Cerro de Agua wants to share a big thank you! This community bank benefitted tremendously from this loan and this month made their final repayment. Cerro de agua made their repayments on time accordin to their schedules and are looking forward to the future of their community bank.
We really appreciate your trust on Nicaraguan farmers and locally-owned banking associations.
Thank you all for your support!
We started Burlap & Barrel a little over 6 years ago, aiming to connect smallholder farmers to high-value markets. We're a Public Benefit Corporation, and we share annual updates on our progress at impact.burlapandbarrel.com. To share a quick highlight: we've sent over $2 million to incredible spice farmers in 23 countries - sourcing more than 480,000 lbs of spices at significant premiums to the commodity market. We work with our partner farmers to build long-term, mutually-beneficial relationships, making purchasing commitments during the planting season, and making significant down payments during the harvest. That's where this loan comes in - it will help Burlap & Barrel to continue to grow and to continue to make payments to our partner farmers well ahead of receiving the spices.
The farmers of Rio Congo had a great harvesting season. This made them decide to pay their loan before its schedule.
Thank you all for your support!
