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Kiva Fellow Kimia

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Location:
San Francisco CA United States
Occupation:
Kiva Fellow
I loan because:
everyone deserves an opportunity for greatness
Member Since:
Feb 13, 2009
Bio:
Kimia, a San Diego native, received her B.A. in Biology and Spanish from Claremont Mckenna College in 2008. During the summer of 2007, Kimia studied abroad in Santiago, where she researched Chile's healthcare system and conducted clinical observations in urban hospitals and rural clinics. Last summer, Kimia was awarded the 'Projects for Peace' grant, which she used to carry out public health projects for the Talibe in Dakar, Senegal and for USWA (AIDS association) in Ziguinchor, Senegal. Although her previous abroad experiences have been rewarding, Kimia sought out a more innovative and less invasive method of improving a beneficiaries' quality of life. This research led Kimia to microcredit and eventually the Kiva Fellows Program. Kimia looks forward to combining her passions for South America, microcredit and empowerment as a Kiva Fellow.
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Kimia's Kiva Fellowships

What is a Kiva Fellowship?
Member of Kiva Fellows Class KF9

Fellow at Banco D-MIRO S.A.

Oct 14, 2009 to Jan 31, 2010

Member of Kiva Fellows Class KF10

Fellow at Fundación Paraguaya

Paraguay

Feb 1, 2010 to Apr 18, 2010

Member of Kiva Fellows Class KF11

Fellow at Opportunity Fund

United States

May 17, 2010 to Aug 17, 2010

Updates From The Field

What does Microfinance “look like” in the US?
Jul 23, 2010
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By: Kimia Raafat I had my doubts about microfinance in San Francisco. Having 7 months of work experience at microfinance institutes in Ecuador and Paraguay, the images I associated with South American field [...]
Host a Kiva representative at your event!
Jul 1, 2010
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Micro-Franchising: Despensas are the new 7-11
Apr 11, 2010
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By Kimia Raafat, KF10 Paraguay College students must pick a major.  They distress over the decision:  economics or accounting? Political science or general studies? Should I double-major? Add a [...]
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!
Mar 17, 2010
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By Kimia Raafat, KF10 Paraguay Although lard has always been a popular alternative to butter, and a readily accessible by-product of pork, I have somehow managed to remain a lard simpleton—until now! Upon [...]
Offense Defense
Feb 7, 2010
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By Kimia Raafat, KF10 Paraguay With Super Bowl Sunday upon us, I have begun to think of life as a football game.  Closer analysis of the sport inevitably leads to two topics of deliberation: offense and [...]
Kiva Lenders: Steps to Empowerment
Dec 24, 2009
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By Kimia Raafat, KF9 Ecuador With the holiday season upon us and Kiva Gift Certificates flowin like Cristal and Dom Perignon in a Diddy rap video, I figured it would be a good time to review with lenders [...]

Entrepreneurs Kimia Has Visited

Update for Nelly
Mar 20, 2010
Nelly Vazquez has owned and managed her clothing shop for 3 years and has even expanded to sell toys and to make photo copies. With her loan, she purchased blouses and clothing items. Every 2-3 weeks, she tries [...]
Update for Mujeres Unidas Group
Mar 19, 2010
Upon approaching the home of one of the \"Mujeres Unidas\" , Gloria Elizabeth Cabrera de Echeverria, I expected to find a typical despensa (general store) or home tailoring store, instead I was kindly greeted by [...]
Update for Virgen De Fátima Group
Mar 16, 2010
Thank you for supporting the Virgen De Fátima Group! Last week I went to visit Pabla Lezcano (left), the group\'s current president. At Pabla\'s home were Gladys Pereira (center) and Limpia (right), two other [...]
Update for Eleuterio
Mar 15, 2010
Thank you for supporting Eleuterio Almedia, I went to visit him the other day to get an update on his progress. Eleuterio used his loan to purchase a welding machine, a tool kit and a drill. He has had no [...]
Update for Saturnina
Mar 15, 2010
Thank you for supporting Saturnina Ortellado, I went to visit her the other day to get an update on her progress. With her loan, Ms. Ortellado had purchased merchandise for her \"Despensa\" (general store) such [...]

Kimia's Loans

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7 loans

  

Kimia's Teams

Kimia's Invites

2 accepted invitations

Portfolio Distribution

  • By Gender
  • By Country
  • By Sector
  • By Partner

Gender

Distribution By Gender
Gender %
Male71.43%
Female28.57%

Country

Distribution By Country
Country %
Ecuador28.57%
United States14.29%
Paraguay14.29%
Lebanon14.29%
Bolivia14.29%
Mexico14.29%

Sector

Distribution By Sector
Sector %
Retail42.86%
Services28.57%
Agriculture14.29%
Clothing14.29%

Partner

Distribution By Field Partner
Field Partner %
Banco D-MIRO S.A.28.57%
Union Regional De Huatusco14.29%
Opportunity Fund14.29%
Fundación AgroCapital, A Partner Of ACDI/VOCA14.29%
Al Majmoua Lebanese Association For Development14.29%
Fundación Paraguaya14.29%