Make the world a better place in 2012
Since we kicked off our Kiva micro-financing project “Change Starts Here” in November 2008, our Kiva Lending Team has already raised US$54,000. We financed over 1,500 entrepreneurs in 55 developing countries across the globe. Each entrepreneur used the funds to start up or expand their small scale businesses, and repay us the funds bit by bit over the following months. This way, our seed funds assist people to help themselves out of poverty, which is a better way to help people than “free hand-outs”.
Check out our project score card on the Have Impact! blog for an overview of all projects we funded.
Now is the time to expand this project, for which we need extra seed funds. How to raise extra funds? Well, in 2011, I had a wide range of sponsors for the blogs I manage. After deducting the running costs for my blogs, I now want to invest the left-over funds in our microfinance projects. Seems like a good way to start 2012 off on a good footing: assisting other people to help themselves!
So, from January 1 to 15, I will run a promotion campaign of AidJobs, my newest blog, while helping to boost our micro finance projects.
How can you participate in this fund drive? Simple:
- For every comment left on this blogpost, I will donate US$5.
Just leave your name and where you live. Add any wishes you have for a better world in 2012. (Yes, you can only comment once! And no, we won’t use your email address for any other purpose) - For every new Twitter follower on @AidJobs, I will donate US$5.
(On Jan 1, we started with 147 followers) - For every new “like” on our AidJobs Facebook page, I will donate US$5.
(On Jan 1, we started at 22 “likes”) - For every new Email subscription for daily AidJobs updates, I will donate US$5.
(On Jan 1, we started at 4 subscriptions)
Again, the end date is midnight January 15 (CET), and all funds go to our Kiva micro finance projects. Hopefully, we can go as far as the US$6,000 we raise in the same way for entrepreneurs in the Philippines after the 2009 floods. A good way to start 2012, no?
During the next two weeks, I will publish updates on this blog post.
Update: On Jan 15, we came to a total of US$2,010 raised for Kiva projects! In the next weeks, I will publish on Have Impact! which projects we allocate these funds to.
Thank you and happy New Year everyone!
Peter
Our progress:
(the daily figures are cumulative totals)
| Date | Comments | Twitter followers |
Facebook “likes” |
Email Subscriptions |
CumulativeTotal $ |
| Jan 15 | +159 | +104 | +97 | +42 | US$ 2,010 |
| Jan 14 | +149 | +103 | +96 | +37 | US$ 1,925 |
| Jan 13 | +148 | +101 | +97 | +37 | US$ 1,915 |
| Jan 12 | +140 | +91 | +94 | +30 | US$ 1,775 |
| Jan 11 | +130 | +85 | +91 | +30 | US$ 1,680 |
| Jan 10 | +111 | +75 | +78 | +20 | US$ 1,420 |
| Jan 9 | +96 | +59 | +67 | +17 | US$ 1,195 |
| Jan 8 | +92 | +53 | +61 | +16 | US$ 1,110 |
| Jan 7 | +50 | +47 | +34 | +14 | US$ 750 |
| Jan 6 | +35 | +40 | +13 | +12 | US$ 500 |
| Jan 5 | +29 | +36 | +10 | +12 | US$ 435 |
| Jan 4 | +25 | +38 | +11 | +9 | US$ 415 |
| Jan 3 | +19 | +24 | +8 | +8 | US$ 300 |
| Jan 2 | +18 | +17 | +7 | +4 | US$ 230 |
| Jan 1 | +8 | +6 | +2 | +0 | US$ 90 |
| Start | 0 | 147 | 22 | 4 | US$ 0 |
Do you want to make more of difference to people in the world? Why don’t you..
comments are now closed on this post
Good idea.. I want to start off on a good footing too!
Greetings from Moscow. and happy new year!
Ivan
I am from Lebanon. I wish everyone a good 2012. I hope for a peaceful 2012, with so many things happening in our region.
Happy New Year from New York! – May 2012 be peaceful!
Greetings and happy new year from India.. I wish 2012 would be a turning point for hunger and misery in the world.
With all of the sophisticated weapons we built, we have not found a simple remedy for hunger…
happy 2012!
for 2012, i wish everyone a healthy life. Less polution, less waste, less chemicals!
Andrew in Scotland.
Hi, Iman from Tunesia here.
After 2011, it is clear what we can wish. We wish for a stable 2012. A year where the governments are democratically elected, supported by the people, working for the people.
Tunesia lead the way in 2011. May we show the example in 2012, too!
More tolerance!
happy new year from Copenhagen!
I’ll add my comment for your US$5 and a peaceful 2012!
Johan from Amsterdam
I am joining for a good way to start 2012.
We run a translation for humanitarian causes project – love your drive well done!
Charmaine from Norway. Way to go, and best wishes for 2012
Absolutely wonderful! We can all make a difference in 2012.
Hugs from Norway!
Glad to read this blog! Keep it going!
Joining in this great initiative!
Cheryl from North Carolina, hoping to see a return to greater civility in government.
Cheers to you & all other Kiva lenders!
Happy New Year from Pittsburgh!
Greetings from Richmond, VA where I am applauding your vision and generosity.
Greeting from Minnesota. Go well with your project.
Peace!
I am the brother of Ingrid, and happy to join in for your fund drive. I am already a member of Kiva, and will be joining your Kiva team.
best of luck!
Greetings from Montevideo – Wishing everyone the best for 2012.
Glad to support your fundraising!
Happy New Year! I’m proud to support Kiva and be part of the Road To’s lending team.
cheers, Michael
Greetings from Barcelona. Happy to be part of the Kiva network. Wishing continue helping others entrepreneurs in 2012 to achieve their dreams.
Peter, you will have to donate US$20 more
With pleasure, Jaume!
from Montevideo: besos!
Et bonne chance!!!
Hello from Canada! I’m very proud to be part of the Kiva Team. Have a great year.
Well done and keep it up!
- From Wales, UK.
Very generous.
I hope 2012 will be another record year for the total amount loaned by Kiva!!!!
Nearly 5 years as a Kiva member and counting.
Hi, Peter (and anyone else who might remember the Wood Fairy at KivaFriends). Thanks for the New Year wishes and same to you! I’m seldom at that site any more but remember all of you with fondness.
Cheers, Glenda
Greetings from Tel Aviv… With warm regards..
My wishes for 2012? The same as everyone else’s in the Middle East… PEACE!