Kiva - Loans That Change Lives

Feb 10, 2012 - A Solid Work Ethic And A Desire To Do Well

When I was reading about Erica Pedrozo Mercado's business, I was immediately struck by the phrase, "her work ethic and her desire to do well gave her new ideas." That's just awesome! As someone who has an unquenchable thirst to keep learning and to better my understanding of the world and my actions, there's something about this that I find truly inspirational! And just look at that smile - it beams with positive energy. For people who are driven to help themselves, the BenNadel.com Lending Team is always willing to get in on the action!

More about Erica Pedrozo Mercado: 38-year-old Erica is a married woman who has three children aged between 5 and 16. She has a food business where she prepares and sells 'chicha' (a traditional corn-based drink), soda, juice, potatoes stuffed with meat and cheese, cheese fingers, and snacks in general. She started her business when she realized that her mother earned good money in the same business. At first she started out selling soup and pies but gradually her work ethic and her desire to do well gave her new ideas. Now she not only sells meals in small quantities but she also has a sales location with heated display cases and a chiller cabinet where she offers nice cold drinks. She has a lot of sales owing to the permanent warm climate of the Colombian Carribean coast.

Feb 10, 2012 - The Family Unit

When I was reading about Rustam and his clothing business, I was intrigued by the fact that he had three generations from his family working together. In today's world, or at least in the United States, this "family business" mentality feels very much like a fixture from the past. I hardly have a handle on what my grandfather even did for work, let alone have any desire to follow in his footsteps.

More importantly, however, Rustam has an awesome smile! And for that, the BenNadel.com Lending Team is always willing to help! This is a pro-smile job board!

More about Rustam: Rustam is a young man, who is involved in selling women's clothing. He has been in this business for 18 years. His mother travels to Bishkek for the merchandise monthly. His wife is involved in selling women's fabrics at a clothing market. Rustam has one daughter and a son, both of whom attend the city's secondary school. His son, who is 16 years old, helps the father with unloading the merchandise during deliveries.

Feb 1, 2012 - Providing For Your Loved Ones

As I was going through the Kiva loan opportunities, what struck me about Sandro Javier Gomez Navarrete was his warm smile and the phrase, "so that he can offer the best to his wife and his 8 year old son." Too often, I hear about people whose behavior is befuddling - whose relationships are downright confusing. How can you be with her?! How can you let him treat you like that?! When you see someone who simply wants to provide the best for his loved ones, it can be a breadth of fresh air. For that - for love and for decency - the BenNadel.com Lending Team wants to help out.

More about Sandro Javier Gomez Navarrete: Sandro is a man that constantly wants to improve so that he can offer the best to his wife and his 8 year old son. This man is a micro-businessman. He has a taxi, and he offers his service daily. Each day he meets new customers. He always assists them courteously with the aim that they have a good impression of him, and above all else that they feel safe in his vehicle.

Feb 1, 2012 - Game On

I spent my Freshman year in college playing - nay, mastering - Street Fighter vs. Marvel Super Heroes. My team combination of Japanese school girl, Sakura, and the Incredible Hulk was simply unstoppable! To this day, I'm convinced it's one of the best games ever created. I'm not a huge video game player; and, since college, I pretty much stopped playing. But, video games have a place in my heart; and, I know what a wonderful platform they are for interacting with other kids. I spent many hours forming close bonds with people over Street Fighter. That's why, when I saw that Amalfi Galera Ariza was making a business bring video game systems into her community, I was excited. For something like this, the BenNadel.com Lending Team is more than happy to get involved. Game On!

More about Amalfi Galera Ariza: Amalfi, age 42, has a family that consists of her husband and two children (ages 22 and 15). She is the owner of a business that offers mobile phone calling services. In addition, she offers video game and movie video services. The idea for this business came to her quite spontaneously. Her husband enjoys playing video games, so she bought the gaming equipment and every afternoon the children gathered at her house to play. They began forming a line, so she started renting out the games. Over time, more of her neighbors began visiting, so she was able to save some money to invest. Today she has two video game consoles and three televisions.

Jan 25, 2012 - Beefcake!!!

That title may seem completely random; however, when I read that one of Erkingul's jobs was to "fatten-up" livestock, my immediate mental thought was that of, "Beefcake!!!" In all seriousness, though, you have to respect someone like Erkingul; as a widow, she has raised a family and works the land of 36,000 square meters. And, she does it with a smile that feels infectious! For that kind of attitude, the BenNadel.com Lending Team is eager to help out!

More about Erkingul: Erkingul is 59 years old, a widow and raised three children. Erkingul is involved in fattening up and reselling livestock. Her business, started in 1991 with a sum of 18,000 som (KGS), today contains three dairy cows, one calf and one horse, and yields about 15,500 som (KGS) per month from sales of milk products. Erkingul also works on 3.6 hectares of land, where she grows potatoes.

Jan 25, 2012 - Thank You To Our Boys In Blue

Last night, I watched President Obama's State of the Union (SOTU) address. In it, he lauded our troops as a shining example of what can be accomplished when people come together - of what can be done when people put their differences aside and work as one machine driving towards a common goal. It was a rather rousing and inspired speech that left me, at times, misty eyed. Our troops, our police, our firefighters - they all serve to make our lives better. And it is in this context that I came across Timothy Morris, a veteran of the New Orleans police department. After 31 years of service, Tim needs a loan to help start a new business. For his dreams, his service (and, of course, his clearly awesome smile), the BenNadel.com Lending Team is delighted to be able to contribute. With gratitude, we wish you luck!

More about Timothy Morris: Tim is a New Orleans police lieutenant about to retire from the force after 31 years. Six months ago, he bought a travel agency franchise to keep himself busy during retirement. He says, "I always wanted to do something that makes people happy and people are always happy when they go on vacation."

Jan 24, 2012 - A Good Day For Smiles

I don't have too much to say about Yuvinza Judith. She's got a good smile and today is just a good day for smiles! It sounds like she has a good business going and the BenNadel.com Lending Team is more than happy to help her out!

More about Yuvinza Judith: She sells beauty supplies of a very well-known national brand to barber shops and beauty salons in the southern zone. She has a little five year old son and her husband works for a telephone company. She has a third activity also which is the sale of Bata brand shoes that she sells on credit. She's asking for the loan to buy merchandise because she takes advantage of the offers in the catalogues and buys in quantity to then resell obtaining better profits. She's a very hardworking person who feels very grateful for the opportunity she's getting.

Jan 24, 2012 - You Had Me At Thumbs-Up

As I've stated before, the BenNadel.com Lending Team prefers to give loans to people with a good smile, which Robinson Muniz Orozco clearly has. But, you throw a little thumbs-up in there as well and it's a lock - you've got our support. I believe that people with a positive outlook are more likely to use the loan effectively to better their position. And, judging by the fact that this will be Robinson's 2nd loan, I think there's something to this theory.

More about Robinson Muniz Orozco: With his previous Kiva loan Robinson bought athletic footwear, toys in general and foodstuffs and he sold it all. Now, he's getting ready for his next Kiva loan because he wants to earn money again with this new investment so he will respond to customer orders for clothes and footwear that he'll buy with his new loan. His message to Kiva lenders is the following: "Thanks for trusting that I will put the money to good use and I will show my appreciation by paying you back punctually."

Jan 24, 2012 - Don't Let Life Bite You In The Face

It's hard to read this story and not enjoy it; here's this guy, Carlos Polo Acevedo, who gets bitten in the face by a donkey! Then, leverages the experience as a way to launch his own home-based business selling essential goods. This guy definitely has spirit; and, the kind of smile that brightens up the room. This is the kind of attitude that the BenNadel.com Lending Team is super excited to support - the kind of attitude that say, "Go ahead, bite me in the face - it's not gonna keep me down!"

More about Carlos Polo Acevedo: Carlos is 54 years old. He is married, he lives in the town of Cartagena and has 4 children aged between 24 and 27 years of age. He is a retailer and he also owns a shop where he sells basic necessities such as snacks, canned food, sausages and so on. Thanks to this activity he has succeeded in providing for his family. He came up with his entrepreneurial many years ago, while he was engaged in selling fruits in a small stall located in the town's market and he suffered an accident: a donkey bit him in the face, and as he could not keep on working standing in the sun, he decided to sell basic necessities to his neighbors from his own house.

Jan 6, 2012 - Happy New Year!

This is the first Kiva donation that the BenNadel.com Lending Team is making for 2012. As such, I thought the facial expression on Maria Bernarda Angel was quite fitting. She appears to be truly joyful! With the new year comes new hope and new inspiration - another year to make a difference in the world and to fulfill our dreams. Here's to happy new year and wonderful outlook on life!

More about Maria Bernarda Angel: Mrs. Maria Bernarda, at 51 years old, has been selling clothes for about three years. Mrs. Maria Bernarda works alone in her spare time. Mrs. Bernarda wishes to buy an assortment of clothing in order to expand her sales and thus improve her income and quality of life. Mrs. Maria Bernarda dreams of having her own special events hall since Mrs. Maria Bernarda cooks very well and with this, to be able financially to support her mother and sister, the people who live with her.

Dec 9, 2011 - Merry Christmas

I absolutely love the holiday season. The Christmas trees, the hot apple cider, the snow, the music, the gifts, the cheer. It's just a wonderful time of the year. So, when I saw that Nelly Del Carmen Vides Cervantes had a wonderful smile and was going to be selling Christmas ornaments in her business, it just filled me with good feelings. The BenNadel.com Lending Team is a fan of Christmas and a fan of helping people improve their lives. Plus, you gotta admit, it sort of goes along with the spirit of the season!

More about Nelly Del Carmen Vides Cervantes: Currently, she is planning to invest [her load] in her business at Christmastime and New Year's, since she knows that at this time investment is usually very effective. This is why she is taking out a new Kiva loan, with which she will purchase children's and women's clothing, Christmas ornaments, and new minutes plans, so that her customers will have the opportunity to be closer to their families and will be able to wish them a "happy and prosperous 2012" through the telecommunications services Nelly offers.

Dec 9, 2011 - The Tireless Fighter

When it comes to the enormous number of lending opportunities, sometimes it's the little things that catch your attention. Of course, I'm always looking for people like Maria Isabel Restrepo Sanchez who have a great smile; but, this time, what really caught my eye was the fact that she referred to herself as the "tireless fighter." I like her spirit! And for that, for the little things that give people an edge, the BenNadel.com Lending Team wants to get involved.

More about Maria Isabel Restrepo Sanchez: At 58 years of age Maria Isabel is a tireless fighter. She has run her own business for several years now selling all kinds of products such as clothes, perfumes, accessories, bags and many other things. She started selling by order and now keeps an inventory and a variety of products in her home. Maria dreams of having a very large store with an outreach and recognition in the entire city.

Dec 9, 2011 - Joyful

Can you even look at Teresita Belen without smiling? I can't. She just looks joyful. And, of course it doesn't hurt that she's wearing a New York tee shirt - my home town!

Smile aside, however, I like the fact that she runs a store for school supplies. The BenNadel.com Lending Team is always pro-Education; and, while this isn't about education directly, it is about facilitated learning. And for that, we want to get involved.

More about Teresita Belen: This is Teresita, 54, a resident of Caloocan City, Philippines. Her husband is Fernando, a technician, and she is a mother to her two children. She, together with her husband and children, manages their own household while operating the business. Teresita operates a school supplies business. It is where one can buy school supplies, like pens, bond paper, "cartolina" and the like, without going to a bookstore. She gets the supplies at wholesale prices and sells them by the piece. She also operates a Xerox machine for copying services. Her store is located adjacent to her house. Her regular customers are students and the local community. Teresita hopes her business will grow in the coming years and dreams of being able to give her family a good future through all her hard work on her business.

Nov 28, 2011 - Critical Mass

When you read Kalikwa Mwaziro's loan bio, you can see that one of her biggest challenges is late-paying customers. As a business owner, I have also to deal with this friction. Luckily, I have never really been in a situation where a late payment would make or break my company. Thankfully, I've always had a bit of wiggle room that allows me patient. This kind of buffer - this critical mass - is important because it lets you operate without a pending sense of doom. And, it is with this kind of a clear head that you can think properly about your business and how to grow it.

I can relate to Kaliakwa's concerns. And, to her desire to grow her business. As such, the BenNadel.com Lending Team is happy to get involved.

More about Kalikwa Mwaziro: Kalikwa is a married woman with two school going children. Her husband is a businessman who contributes to the family's basic needs. She owns a house with electricity and piped water. Her greatest monthly expense is food for her family. Kalikwa has operated a cosmetics shop for the past 5 years. Her potential clients are her neighbors. She faces a major challenge of customers not paying their debts in time. She dreams of expanding her business.

Nov 18, 2011 - That Justina, She's So Hot Right Now

If you can't place that quote, it's from the brilliant movie, Zoolander. I chose that quote because Zoolander is all about the world of fashion and Justina Isabel Jimenez Jimenez is in the cosmetology and beauty world. They seemed to go together in my mind. Who knows, she might have her own version of Blue Steel... I probably shouldn't even be talking about it.

As always, the BenNadel.com Lending Team has a soft spot for anything that is related to education. Justina's goal is to be able to support her daughter's studies; that, combined with a wonderfully cheerful smile, and we had to get involved.

More about Justina Isabel Jimenez Jimenez: Justina, 63, is the owner of a beauty shop that everyone in her area knows. When she was about 37, she took a cosmetology course and began practicing first on friends and neighbors for free in her neighborhood. Little by little this became her life's project, and with her business she has become well-known by her customers. She specialized principally in hair cuts and this line of work made here popular. Now she does color, blow drying, hairdos, manicures, and especially pedicures. She also sells accessories and beauty products to her customers. Her goal is to continue increasing her working capital to expand the business so that she can support her daughters' university studies. This will give them success in life.

Oct 18, 2011 - The Power Of Smiling

Gaspard demonstrates the power of a good smile. From his Kiva loan request, I know pretty nothing about him. However, I feel like I don't really need to know all that much - his smile fills in the knowledge gaps. It's amazing what a good smile can do. Like the eyes, the smile can communicate a whole world of information. And, when a smile comes across as warm and genuine, it can be unbelievably powerful.

Gaspard definitely has a smile that the BenNadel.com Lending Team believes in.

More about Gaspard: Gaspard is 28 years old and is single. He sells shoes. Gaspard has two years in this business and he works from 7am until 6pm every day. Gaspard has requested a loan from Kiva via Vision Finance Company, in order to purchase a variety of shoes for resale. With any profit, Gaspard would like to save money and reinvest in his business.

Oct 18, 2011 - Educating Your Children

When I was a kid, I was in remedial English. Then, I had to have a tudor because I was failing out of school. My parents worked very closely with me to make sure that I got my homework done and that I was prepared for my tests. To them [my parents] it was of critical importance that I got my life back on track.

Clearly, I grew up in an environment that was extremely nurturing. As such, I believe the concept of education - and the education of one's children especially - to be of a higher level importance. So, when I see that someone like Blanca Ermel Cortes Castro has tried to educate her children and aims to continue educating her youngest two, the BenNadel.com Lending Team wants to get involved. If I can do anything to facilitate the kind of loving environment that I received as I child, then I will be making an important difference.

More about Blanca Ermel Cortes Castro: Blanca, age 43, lives in the rural village of Pena Blanca. She lives with her husband, Jose, and their five children. The children are 27, 25, 20, 18, and 14 years old. She has been selling women's clothes for 20 years. She has been able to pay part of the educational expenses for her children. Her husband also supports her through his work as a driver for an electrical power company. Her dream is to continue with the education of her two youngest children. She also dreams of, in the future, building her own place on the land where her house is.

Oct 18, 2011 - The Gift Of Loving

Despite the fact that Ablavi has a full-face smile that radiates joy, what really drew me to her was her children. She (and her family) have already given her children schooling; and now, she wants to continue her efforts in order to facilitate her children's personal fulfillment. As I've grown older and matured, I've learned to look at love as a gift that one gives more than a gift that one receives. This, to me, is one of the most satisfying aspects of life. And if Ablavi wants to continue giving that gift of love to her children, then the BenNadel.com Lending Team wants to be part of that transaction of awesomeness.

More about Ablavi: Ablavi is 41 years old. She is married to a tailor. She has two children both of whom have had schooling. The eldest is 20 years old and the youngest is 18. Ablavi has been working as a retailer for the past 11 years. She sells to all persons who enter her shop. In the coming years, Ablavi would like to expand her business. She said that with her profits, she plans to ensure her children's personal fulfillment.

Oct 18, 2011 - Genuinely Friendly

When I look at Ramil Azizov, I get an immediate sense that he's a good guy. I think maybe it's in the eyes. His smile and demeanor come across as being completely genuine. I'd guess he's the kind of guy that you'd want to be friends with; the kind of guy that has a generally positive outlook on life and takes joy in the things that he does.

Sometimes, you just get a good feeling about people. And I have that good feeling about Ramil. As such, the BenNadel.com Lending Team is more than happy to lend a helping hand.

More about Ramil Azizov: Ramil is 33 years old. He is married and has two children. He is a small-business entrepreneur who sells different kinds of foods as well as detergents, like soap, shampoo, toothpaste, shaving cream and washing powder, and many other foodstuffs in his store. Ramil is not alone in this business. His wife actively helps him with sales. His monthly profit is $160 USD and he is on the way to increasing it. His business is very successful because of a good location in the central Sabirabad bazaar.

Oct 18, 2011 - Outstanding Pose

The moment I saw Darwin Nain Cruz Ibarra, I had to lend him some money. I mean just look at that pose — that is a classic "Nadel" photo opportunity and level of enthusiasm! Clearly, we are kindred spirits. And, I'd hazard a guess that his outlook translates into a great work ethic. As such, the BenNadel.com Lending Team definitely wants to get involved.

More about Darwin Nain Cruz Ibarra: Darwin is a hard-working 28-year old who has done his best to earn a living. He began his business two years ago. He provides taxi services and serves as a driver for specific people. He begins work at 7:00 a.m. and works until 12:00 p.m. His challenges are competition and the level of crime in the country. He applied for the loan for car maintenance. He will buy new tires and other items like rear-view mirrors and a radio. His dream is to finish building his home, and he aspires to have a good life.

Sep 22, 2011 - A Sweet Face

As you know, I've been selecting loans based on people's smiles. And, while Susana doesn't have a huge smile, there was something about her expression that I was immediately drawn to. I think, perhaps, it is a look of joy; like she knows something - like she knows that everything is going to be ok; that life is worthwhile; and that she is very appreciative of what things will come in the future.

Who knows - maybe I'm just reading into it. Maybe I'm just seeing in her face the things that I am feeling about my own life. Maybe I'm right on the money. In any case, BenNadel.com Lending Team is happy to help out such that her business may thrive and that her children will have a better life ahead of them.

More about Susana: Susana is 52 years old, married, and has four children. She divides her time between her daily activities and her farming business. She also sells milk. She makes her sales between 6.00am and 7.00pm. Through this business, she gets her children ahead in life. Susana would like to expand her milk business and her farming business. She is requesting this loan to buy milk, and also seeds for her farmland.

Sep 9, 2011 - The Entrepreneurial Spirit

Some people blow my mind with their enthusiasm and their entrepreneurial spirit; Abel Petro Bravo started his own company when he was 17 and has kept it running successfully for the last seven years. And clearly, he looks happy doing it. This is quite awe inspiring. I think back to when I was 17 and, to be honest, work was one of the farthest things from my mind. I think Abel's work ethic is one that is certain worth back and for that, the BenNadel.com Lending Team is glad to help.

More about Abel Petro Bravo: Abel, 24, sells motorcycle parts. He started the business seven years ago, but for two years he has been located in the Arboleda neighborhood in the town of Soledad in the department of Atlantico. He and a mechanic attend to the business, which also provides motorcycle maintenance service. The main products he sells are cables, gaskets, bearings, spark plugs, brake bands, etc.. Abel's dream for the future is to have his own place. In the meantime, he takes great pains working to be able to achieve this, and he manages a profit margin of no less than 14%, from which he is planning his growth.

Aug 25, 2011 - More Chickens For Everyone!

While I definitely prefer to lend to people with a good smile, I'm not gonna lie to you - I took one look at Fredy Alfonso Pimienta Cantillo and thought he was a ringer for the Columbian Tom Selleck. At that point, does it even matter what his story is? I mean, come on, who doesn't love Tom Selleck; the man has the best mustache... maybe ever.

And, maybe I'm just in a silly mood today, but I also liked the fact that Freddy wanted to buy chickens with his loan. But in all seriousness, Freddy is a hard worker whose dream is to improve the life of his family and the future of his children. And for that, the BenNadel.com Lending Team is always happy to help.

More about Fredy Alfonso Pimienta Cantillo: Fredy is a 47-year-old married man who lives with his wife and two children, ages 16 and 20. He started working 20 years ago. His father was a wholesale fruit vendor and helped him start and develop his business venture. Fredy has been enthusiastic from the beginning and has worked independently all of his life.

Aug 12, 2011 - Taking Your Business To The Next Level

As a business owner, I can easily relate to the spot that Rafael Andres Solano Polo is in. He has a good business; and, he could be doing even better if he moved his office to a new location. So, he could make more money; but he needs to spend money to make that money. If you're a big business, this isn't such a problem. But, if you're a small business that makes ends meet, spending money to make money can be an absolutely terrifying, if not completely unfeasible idea.

I feel that same kind of friction when we think about hiring new developers. If we hired new developers, we could take on more work. But, what if we can't keep them busy? What if we can't pay them? If we hire people (especially away from other full-time jobs), we have a moral obligation to make sure that we're creating a sustainable relationship.

It's a strange cycle to be in - feeling like you could use a little bit of money to ensure that you could make more money. It's a frustrating chicken-and-egg problem. And, it's definitely something that the BenNadel.com Lending Team wants to help with.

More about Rafael Andres Solano Polo: Rafael is a 23-year old young man who began his working career at various advertising agencies. Gaining a good market share, he managed to go off on his own and start his own advertising agency venture. He dedicates himself to creating corporate image campaigns, marketing, publicity campaigns, event planning, typography, graphic design, allocation of office supplies and general sales of publicity materials.

Jul 6, 2011 - The Hope And Dream Of Education

While Richard Chomba simply wants a loan to help purchase farm supplies, he says that his hope and dream is be able to concentrate on his children's education. I love to hear stuff like this. Too often, education is an afterthought. Even in a country like ours (the United States), the high school drop-out rate is so large, you almost think it's a joke.

The BenNadel.com Lending Team believes strongly in the need for education. And if Richard Chomba thinks that as well, we are more than happy to help. Oh, and it doesn't hurt that Richard Chomba has a great smile - one of my new loan criteria.

More about Richard Chomba: Richard is a businessman and is 46 years old. He is married to Purity who is a housewife. They are blessed with three children. He has been a farmer and a retail shopkeeper for the past thirteen years with the monthly income of about $220 which he uses to support his family members.

Jun 29, 2011 - Bigger Cows And Smiles

As I wrote previously, I've decided to use smiling as a key factor in deciding where to allocate the loans made by this job board. And for me, Dina Brigida Paquita Flores has the kind of smile that just says, "Hey - I'm happy to be alive." Plus, one of her jobs is "fattening cows," and conjuring that mental image definitely put a smile on my face. There's nothing wrong with a little quid pro quo when it comes to smiling, and so, the BenNadel.com Lending Team is happy give Dina a helping hand.

More about Dina Brigida Paquita Flores: Dina is a member of the Virgen de Concepcion Bank in the Ayrumas Carumas village, Acora district, Puno province and department. She is 27 years old, in a common-law marriage, and has two children. She went to school up to the third year of high school. Her dream is to be a general handicrafts businesswoman.

Jun 9, 2011 - Laugh And The World Laughs With You

After my previous donation to Mary Eshun, I decided that I was going to start looking for people who have good smiles - for people who appear happy just to be alive. So many of the faces that I come across look beaten down. So, when I come across people like Mary Eshun and now, Mary Ansah, I am overcome with a belief that we're going to be tapping into a great potential.

The BenNadel.com Lending Team wants to spread good fortune; and, I can't think of a more effective way of doing this than to harness the positive attitude of hard-working people.

More about Mary Ansah: Mary retails in frozen fish, meat, sausages, chicken and gizzards at Elmina. She has a child and has been in this business for 7 years. She wishes to increase the quantity of frozen items mentioned earlier and so needs a loan to be able to buy more frozen items for resale. She plans to add another refrigerator to the current one.

Jun 9, 2011 - A Beautiful Smile

When I saw Mary Eshun on the homepage of the Kiva site, I was instantly drawn to her smile. She just looks like someone who has a passion for life and for living it to its fullest. In my experience, you want to surround yourself with people like this. Their positive energy is contagious and ends up making you feel better just by proxy.

And, of course, I'm always happy when I hear that someone is saving up for education. All in all, Mary is definitely the kind of person that the BenNadel.com Lending Team wants to support.

More about Mary Eshun: For the past three years Mary has been baking at Elmina. She is a single parent and has two children. She wants to increase the number of items she bakes for sale. She is requesting a loan to buy flour, sugar, essence, firewood and other items needed to bake bread, pies, and rock-buns. She hopes to use the profits from her business to save towards the university education of her children.

May 18, 2011 - A Better Quality Of Life

It says that Reiman Abarca Cascante wants to "achieve a better quality of life and provide his son with an education". Sometimes, I just get so excited when I read about people wanting to better their place in life. Unfortunately, I see a lot of people in this world who don't seem all that interested in such activities. And, when someone wants to put in the work to take it to the next level, well the BenNadel.com Lending Team wants to lend a helping hand (no pun intended).

More about Reiman Abarca Cascante: Reiman Abarca Cascante is 26 years old, married, and lives with his wife and son who are his highest priorities. He plans to purchase supplies and fertilizers so that he can achieve a good crop and provide the most suitable conditions for planting. Reiman has adequate land and experience in producing a good crop.

May 17, 2011 - Education For The Win!

Adriana Mercedes is a teacher; and, I have a soft spot for teachers. Frankly, I have a thirst for information and I have a deep respect for the people who help to disseminate it. As someone who went to school for computer science, I am constantly finding myself with the desire to return to school and retake my classes. As much as I love independent learning, there's nothing quite like having a mentor present to answer questions.

I bring this all up just to say that the BenNadel.com Lending Team is happy to support any kind of educational system. Education is the awesome.

More about Adriana Mercedes: Adriana Gurdian is a native of the municipality of El Sauce. She is the mother of 3 children, and she works as an elementary school teacher in a school in her area. She has been teaching children for more than 20 years. Adriana has her own home, which she is attempting to improve little by little for the benefit of her children.

May 4, 2011 - For The Kids

As someone who doesn't have kids, I can't quite explain why, but I have a soft spot in my heart for people who do things for the sake of their children. When I read that Munhbayar Luvsangiv said, "My wife and I are doing our best to provide better living conditions for our children," I just felt like I wanted to help.

Maybe it's because I grew up with such a fortunate childhood. I was raised in a loving, wonderful home and was certainly given every opportunity. So, perhaps then, I want others to have all the chances that I have had. In any case, the BenNadel.com Lending Team wants to help.

More about Munhbayar Luvsangiv: Munhbayar is a 23-year-old man who lives with his wife and two daughters in Chingeltei district, Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. They live in a "ger", a Mongolian traditional nomadic housing tent, in his parents' backyard. His two daughters haven't reached school age, so they stay home with their nanny.

Apr 18, 2011 - The Beauty Of Women

A few months ago, I was having dinner with a friend of mine when she exclaimed, "Hold on, let me turn my phone off." She then proceeded to reach into her bra and pull out her phone. I was dumbfounded. "Where the heck did that just come from?" I asked amusingly perplexed. "My bra," she said matter-of-factly. "I store all kinds of stuff in there - phone, keys, gum, whatever."

I tell you all this only to paint the mental context that I had when I saw the picture of Vanessa with here bossom-bound phone purse. It just made me giggle with nostalgia over the good times once had with a friend.

But, in all seriousness, Vanessa is a widow with three kids. And, when she said that, "Her dreams are for her children to have a good education and to see them become good people," I was more than happy to know that the BenNadel.com Lending Team could help.

More about Vanessa Elizabeth Macias Palacios: Vanessa is being presented here. She is 27 years old and her husband died three years ago. Since then, she has had to bear all of the expenses of her family and those of her three children (ages 12, 11, and 8). The oldest child is in high school while the remaining children are in elementary school.

Apr 13, 2011 - Education Is Critical

As far as I'm concerned, education is one of the most important things in life. And, I'm not just talking about schooling - I'm talking about everything including experience, independent learning, continuation education, reading, etc.. The human brain, like most materials, suffers more from disuse than from overuse; but, you have to start somewhere. That's why, when people like Lorenza need a loan to help put their children through school, the BenNadel.com Lending Team wants to get involved. Education should be a right for all people.

More about Lorenza: Lorenza Cruz Martinez and her husband form a very close family that looks out for their children's well-being and quality lifestyle. This couple has three school-aged children and therefore are in need of a loan to buy school supplies and pay for tuition at the school where the children are enrolled this year. This will allow them to continue their education in order to have a career in the future.

Apr 6, 2011 - The Fruits Of Hard Work

In the book, Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell quotes the Chinese proverb: "No one who can rise before dawn 360 days a year fails to make his family rich." I am sure that there are many who would disagree with such a statement; and, I have no doubt that you can find many examples that undermine this concept (think "The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable" by Nassim Nicholas Taleb). But, at the end of the day, I love the intent! We are masters of our own destiny - the world is our oyster - life helps those that help themselves.... and other such cliches.

Bromides aside, hard work is laudable. And, it pays off. Just look at Elizabeth who, even at the age of 22, is waking up before dawn in order to make sure that her store is one of the most popular stores in the area. This is the kind of work ethic that the BenNadel.com Lending Team wants to get behind - this is the kind of work ethic that I want to be part of.

More about Elizabeth: Elizabeth, 22 years of age, is modest and hard working. She lives in her own house, and is disposed to work very hard to succeed in life. Elizabeth's store is one of the most frequented in Yanango. She opens very early in the morning, as she expects her neighbors to visit to buy the items they need. She is a good salesperson, happy and attentive, and always greets her customers with a smile and ready to assist them with their purchases.

Apr 1, 2011 - Think Globally, Act Locally

There are so many lending opportunities on Kiva that it's actually quite hard to decide who to choose. Up until now, everyone that the BenNadel.com Lending Team has given to has been located abroad - places like Mongolia, Peru, and El Salvador. When we come from such a wonderful country, it's easy to forget to that there are people in need right in our backyard. That's why, when I saw that Silvia was located in the United States, I thought it would be a great change to think globally and act locally.

More about Silvia: Silvia has her own cosmetics store where she sells beauty/cosmetic products and also sells perfume. Her dream is to continue to expand her business to have a larger store where she can sell a greater variety of cosmetic products to women in her neighborhood. Silvia has 5 children, two of whom she is supporting on her own.

Apr 1, 2011 - From Work To Passion

Those of us in the world of computer programming and web development are incredibly lucky because we get to wake up every morning and follow our dreams; we get paid to do that which we love. Unfortunately, we are in the minority. Many people wake up every day to go to a job that is nothing more than a means to an end - a way to put food on the table and a roof overhead. That's why, when I read about someone like Marwan Salahat, who wants a loan so that he can invest in following his dreams, I say, "I want in on that party!" If you are one of the few who knows what makes you happy and you can do it for a living, then the BenNadel.com Lending Team wants to help.

Do something you love and you will never work a day in your life. — Confucius

More about Marwan Salahat: Marwan is a young man from Bethlehem. He works in a bakery at $300 monthly salary. Marwan was always interested in music and putting together music for parties of friends and relatives, and he wants to become a professional DJ.

Apr 1, 2011 - From Nomadic Tent To Business Woman

When I read the posting for Munhdelger Dolgorsuren, I was intrigued that she lived in a tent. Apparently, a "ger" - more generally known as a Yurt - is a common type of portable tent used by the nomadic peoples of Mognolia. Of course, it's not a tent the way you or I might think of "tent"; if you Google-image search it, you'll see that they're actually quite robust shelters.

In any case, Munhdelger is a hard worker and is looking to acquire more goods to sell at her trading center stall. The BenNadel.com Lending Team is happy to help!

More about Munhdelger Dolgorsuren: Munhdelger is 42 years old and lives with her husband and three children in a ger, a Mongolian traditional nomadic tent, in Arhangai province, Mongolia. Her husband is a herdsman and her three children, 13 to 17 years old, attend high school.

Mar 29, 2011 - Empowering The Female Workforce

I recently finished reading "A Strange Stirring" by Stephanie Coontz. It's a biography of the book (and times) of The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. In it, Coontz describes the tremendous hurdles that women had to overcome in order to gain a sense of self and purpose. Unfortunately, even in 2011, remnants of those difficulties still exist. That's why I get filled with excitement when I read about people like Alexandra Elizabeth Guachala Lino who, even with three kids, still works outside the home.

Now, granted, Alexandra is working to provide a better life for her family; having a job probably has very little to do with how she identifies herself. But, at the end of the day, the BenNadel.com Lending Team is happy to empower women who are seeking to empower themselves. Hopefully, one day, people like Alexandra can work out of choice, not out of necessity.

More about Alexandra Elizabeth Guachala Lino: We found Alexandra, 25, here. She's in a common law relationship and has three children who are 6, and 3 years old and an 11-month-old. The oldest is in school and her husband's a bricklayer. She is a great housewife who, besides taking care of her home and small children, also seeks ways to earn extra money to provide the best for her family. She sells clothes.

Mar 25, 2011 - Tenacious Spirit

I'm going to be completely honest with you - I picked this particular loan because Elsa was described as being a "tenacious" woman. I know that this might seem shallow but, Tenacious is one of my favorite words. Plus, I think it embodies an energy, a determination, and a thirst for all that life has to throw at you.

On a more serious note, however, this money will be going to help Elsa create an environment in which she will be able to pay for the education of her two children (which she is raising all by herself). I am huge proponent of education and often dream about going back to school to take night classes. As such, the BenNadel.com Lending Team is happy to be able to lend a helping hand.

More about Elsa: Elsa, 58, is a tenacious woman. She was widowed 2 years ago, and ever since she has been the sole provider for her 2 minor children. She lives with them in the rural Carita settlement. She has been farming for 35 years; she started out farming with her husband. Despite being alone, she continues to work with a lot of effort.

Mar 24, 2011 - The Quality Of Living

Having a good living situation is probably one of the most crucial ingredients to a successful life; no matter how hard your day is - no matter what troubles you have - knowing that you have a place to come home to can make all the difference. It can fill you with a sense of pride and give you a sense of ownership over your own existence. That's why, when I hear about people like Edmundo Pacherre Montalban, who needs money to fix the deteriorated state of his family's housing - to raise the quality of his family's living situation - I want to get involved. The BenNadel.com Lending Team has donated to Edmundo and wish him the best!

More about Edmundo Pacherre Montalban: Edmundo is 53 years old, married, and has two children. He lives in the city of Morropon in Piura, about four hours from Chiclayo, the capital of the Lambayeque region. For more than 12 years, he has earned his living as a field laborer. He is very responsible in his job duties. This work helps him meet his family's expenses.

Mar 11, 2011 - Healthcare And Hospitals

Health is so important; and, even in a country as awesome as ours, good healthcare can be hard to come by. That's why I get all excited when I read about people like Byambabaatar Suhbaatar who are making it possible for people in rural Mongolia to access drugs and medical professionals. Byambabaatar is looking for money to help expand his pharmacy and build a private hospital. And well, the BenNadel.com Lending Team is one hundred percent behind that idea!

More about Byambabaatar: Byambabaatar, 49, is married and lives with his wife and four children in Uvs, Mongolia. They live in a ger, a Mongolian nomadic housing tent, on the outskirts of town. His two older children attend college while the younger two attend a local secondary school. He and his wife are both doctors who operate a pharmacy in addition to their regular jobs. Their business is very helpful for the ger-district residents who live far from downtown.

Dec 06, 2010 - Grow Your Business, Better Your Situation

When you run your own business, it can be very hard to better your situation when you are constantly trying to make ends meet. Even if you have a great idea - a way to really improve the quality of your life - it can feel like you never have time to tend to it; all your energy and resources go into simply maintaining the status quo. Today, the BenNadel.com Lending Team is giving money to Rosalina such that she can buy the oven that will help her and her mother take their business to the next level.

As described in her bio, "Rosalina is very hard-working young person. She makes desserts such as jellies (jell-o), flans and yogurt cakes. She has been doing this for two and a half years. Rosalina has three children, two of whom are school age. She lives with her husband and children in Villa Litoral district which is thirty minutes from the city center."

Nov 04, 2010 - How We Are Raised Is Crucial To Our Success

Right now, I am in between books, so I've been re-reading parts of Malcolm Gladwell's book, Outliers. In this book, Gladwell demonstrates the high correlation between involved parenting and a successful life. That is, the more involved a parent is in his/her child's life, the more likely that child is to go on to be successful. As such, when I read about people like Elba Zeledon, who want a loan to help provide for her children, I can't help but think that this is a woman who is making a huge difference in people's lives.

As described in her bio, "Elba is a woman who has fought so that her children lack nothing even though she gets no support from the children's father." Her dream is to, "...provide the best for her children and to prepare them professionally." This is kind of upbringing that I was lucky enough to have; and if this is the kind of life Elba wants to provide for her children, then the BenNadel.com Lending Team wants to support it!

Oct 09, 2010 - Steve Keator Helps House Those Seeking A Brigher Future

Last month, I launched Twitio.tw - a demo site that show-cased the integration of ColdFusion, Twitter, Twilio, and oAuth. To help prepare for the demo, I asked fellow programmers to test the site for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate. Steve Keator, ColdFusion developer and wonderful human being, won the gift certificate. However, instead of getting a gift certificate, Steve asked that I use the $50 to place a Kiva loan on behalf of the BenNadel.com Lending Team.

And so, it is as a proud member of the generous ColdFusion community that I am donating $50 to Zeyla Rosa Orozco of Chontales, Nicaragua. She is applying for her third loan with the goal of improving her living conditions. She already has some of the materials (quarry stone and sand), and with the loan she will be able to complete the purchase of cement, iron, zinc, as well as the labor to finish the construction. Her greatest dream is "to be able to offer her children a worthy home and, in addition, that they study and become respectable adults."

Aug 13, 2010 - The Mouth Is The Gateway To The Body

We all hate to go to the dentist; there's simply nothing enjoyable about someone scraping our gums, drilling next to our nerves, and trying to carry on a conversation with a mouth full of cotton. But the fact is, the mouth is the gateway to the human body and a major factor in one's long-term health. Not only does the mouth hold influence over important areas like the digestive track, circulatory system, and the brain, there is mounting scientific evidence that many diseases of the heart are caused by bacterial infections originating in the mouth.

A healthy oral cavity is crucial to early human development and life-long nutrition. As such, I am happy that the BenNadel.com ColdFusion job board can donate to Shakhin Guliyev - a dentist in the Fuzuli region of Azerbaijan. With this money, Shakhin will be able to buy new equipment for his practice, enabling him to provide the best service possible for his community.

Jul 26, 2010 - The BenNadel.com Job Board Makes Its First Kiva Donation

Today is a very exciting day - I made my first donation to Kiva on behalf of the BenNadel.com ColdFusion Job Board. Picking a cause, to which I wanted to lend, proved difficult; my first instinct was to give to education since I love learning and firmly believe that it is crucial to one's own betterment. Unfortunately, there were no education-related projects available.

My second instinct is to give to health-related projects. If you've followed my Project HUGE series, you know how much I love fitness; but, more important than heavy squatting and dead lifting, people like Ricardo Julian Fuentes Jarquin (featured to the right) are helping to provide important health services to those in his local community.

I have also created a BenNadel.com Lending Team in case anyone in the community would like to join up with us on our efforts.