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Celebrating the heart of our community: Quarterly volunteer spotlight

January 10, 2024
Kiva's volunteers of the month for Q4 2023
Kiva's volunteers of the month for Q4 2023

A rhythmic pulse resonates within Kiva, fueled not by the machinery of business, but by the passion and selflessness of the volunteers of Kiva’s Review and Translation Program (RTP). We are lucky to find ourselves surrounded by unsung heroes who dedicate their time, energy, and skills to make a profound impact on Kiva's mission. This quarter, we are honored to cast a spotlight on three remarkable individuals whose dedication to Kiva’s cause has impacted people all over the world.

Each of the volunteers within the Review and Translation Program possesses a unique background, skillset, and motivation, yet they converge on a common ground—their shared dedication to making a positive difference. From bustling streets to quiet villages, their contributions ripple through the lives of borrowers all around the world. We would like to celebrate their dedication to creating a more financially-inclusive world and express our deepest appreciation for the profound social impact that they create through their volunteering. Join us in this celebration of community, compassion, and the incredible volunteers who embody the spirit of Kiva.

Judy Cheng, Kiva Volunteer of the Month, October 2023

Judy Cheng, Kiva's Volunteer of the Month, October 2023

“Kiva is a very structured, efficient, and diligent process with a lot of attention to details (from workflow to site design/features, training programs and support), and has staff and volunteers that are passionate - their online discussions show it.”

  • Location: Hong Kong

  • Language: English

  • Team: Only the Loanly

  • Time with Kiva: 5 years

  • Outstanding Contributions to Kiva: Since she began volunteering, Judy has edited over 2,616 loans and has reviewed over 314,561 words!

Soledad Merlo, Kiva Volunteer of the Month, November 2023

Soledad Merlo, Kiva Volunteer of the Month, November 2023

“Kiva is a great organization that connects people around the world. What makes it special is ‘partnership’. You aren’t just giving to charity, you are part of a person’s journey. You are investing in them, and you know what they are doing. To me, that’s what makes Kiva special. ”

  • Location: California, USA

  • Language: Spanish

  • Team: Las Pirañas Kivanas

  • Time with Kiva: 5 years

  • Outstanding Contributions to Kiva: Since she began volunteering, Soledad has translated over 1,200 loans and has translated over 160,500 words!

Andy Strachan, Kiva Volunteer of the Month, December 2023

Andy Strachan, Kiva Volunteer of the Month, December 2023

“The beauty of Kiva is the connectivity of its model. In reality, the ones repaying you are the ones who are lending to the next batch of borrowers. In essence, you are connecting the repayments from one borrower to another in different locations."

  • Location: California, USA

  • Language: English

  • Team: Kivaliers

  • Time with Kiva: 4 years

  • Outstanding Contributions to Kiva: Since he began volunteering, Andy has edited over 3,220 loans and has reviewed over 402,388 words!

Our heartfelt thanks

As always, our heartfelt thanks goes out to all of the 400+ volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure the borrower profiles on our site are edited and translated. The contributions of these three volunteers, and of all RTP volunteers, show us that together, we can create a world that is better for all who inhabit it.

See our previous volunteer spotlight here.

And apply to join our team of volunteers here!