Comments on: Important Update on Kiva

By: Ebonmuse

Ebonmuse — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:21:53 +0000

Although I'd noticed that the disbursal dates for loans I contributed to were sometimes in the past, I assumed that the date was just an intended target, and that the actual disbursal of the money could be earlier or later depending on when the lender funding came through. I have to admit that the real explanation makes a lot more sense.

It's also worth mentioning that Kiva originally did operate this way, with loan disbursal waiting on the arrival of lender funding. Evidently, this changed when they started to partner up with other international MFIs that already had a microcredit infrastructure up and running.

By: Valhar2000

Valhar2000 — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:51:09 +0000

When did paying attention to the things one gets involved with fall out of favor?

I don't think that has ever been in favour; it has always been the province of a small, if devoted, community.

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:39:00 +0000

I think I was aware of this before my first donation -- but I agree with D, the other way is much less flexible for the people who need the loans.

By: D

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:35:16 +0000

Hooray for transparency! And I agree that the actual way they do it is better than the pretend way I used to think they did it. What could I have been on?

By: Entomologista

Entomologista — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:34:04 +0000

It's better to have the organization disburse the loans first, for the same reason I prefer government programs to charity. Paulo Freire made the point that charity is inextricably linked to systems of oppression. First the oppressors put people in unfortunate situations, they then force the oppressed to demean themselves for handouts.

By: Bechamel

Bechamel — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:13:04 +0000

I'm surprised that everyone is surprised. On the right side of the page for every loan I've made, at the bottom of the "About the Loan" section, is "Date Disbursed". Every time it's been in the past as I've lent. Clicking those words brings up an explanation similar to this "Important Update", which has been staring everyone in the face since at least late August. When did paying attention to the things one gets involved with fall out of favor?