Update from the Field: Loan Officer Training, a Photographic Journey + Kiva Gift Cards

Compiled by Kathrin Gerner, KF16, Rwanda

December has long been the month of annual awards, looking back and frantic searches for presents. The Kiva fellows blog is no exception to this rule: Share the fellows’ memories by taking a photographic journey through Sierra Leone and watching a video about a typical day of a fellow conducting loan officer trainings. Learn about some incredible women in Costa Rica, who received a Woman Entrepreneur Award from Kiva’s field partner, Fundación Mujer. And to avoid the frantic searches this year, consider surprising your loved ones with the gift that keeps on giving, the Kiva Gift Card.

A Typical Day in the Life of a Kiva Fellow: Loan Officer Training (Video Blog Post)
Country: Ecuador / Fellow: Emmanuel von Arx (KF16)
Emmanuel’s video blog shows that a typical day of a Kiva fellow does not always involve meeting borrowers.

Swit Salone: A Journey in Photos
Country: Sierra Leone / Fellow: Tejal Desai (KF16)
Tejal takes her camera along to document her journey through the beautiful country of Sierra Leone and its capital city, Freetown.

Women of the Year
Country: Costa Rica / Fellow: Andrea Ramirez (KF16)
Andrea shares her experience as a member of the jury for Fundación Mujer’s 8th annual Woman Entrepreneur Awards.

The Do-Gooder’s 2011 Guide to Responsible Giving: Kiva Cards
Country: Peru / Fellow: Kate Bennett (KF16)
Kate makes a personal pitch for the Kiva Gift Card, a gift that keeps on giving.

~
Updates from the past month:
Autonomy, Sierra Leone and the 2011 Kiva Love Tour
Adapting for Borrowers by Borrowers, Microinsurance +SKFL
New Products in Microfinance, Over-Indebtedness + Transparency
Earthquakes, 5Ks + The Pain of Sickness and Loss
Expanding the Reach of Microfinance, Downsizing Development + Why We Kiva
~

Plus more pictures from the past week: