Kiva

Kiva Fellow Michael

Location:: Belmont MA United States
Occupation:: Entrepreneur
I loan because:: I think it matters.
Member Since:: Jan 27, 2009
Bio:: Michael earned his BA in Economics and Finance in 2006 from Bentley University. During a course on developmental economics Michael learned about microfinance and decided he wanted to actively participate in social entrepreneurship. Through various cultural organizations Michael had the opportunity of traveling abroad to places such as Greece and Argentina, immersing himself in local communities. There he received firsthand experience on social issues faced by people outside the U.S., which he brings to the organizations he is a member of in the Greek American Community. Prior to his fellowship, Michael started up a restaurant and worked in financial services. A Masters degree candidate in Environmental Management from Harvard Extension, Michael hoping to bring his interest in microfinance and entrepreneurship and sustainable and innovative solutions to current environmental issues. Michael speaks Greek, and is learning Spanish but he hopes to add Vietnamese to that list when he returns from his fellowship in Hanoi.
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Michael 's Kiva Fellowships

What is a Kiva Fellowship?

Member of Kiva Fellows Class KF8

Fellow at SEDA

Jun 17, 2009 to Sep 13, 2009

Updates From The Field

Sometimes it just aint enough…

Aug 18, 2009

by Michael Kasseris Often times life is like a boxing match. You’re put into the ring with a challenge and you have some rounds to hash it out. Once you’re in this figurative ring you have a few options: [...]

Leap of faith

Jul 6, 2009

by Michael Kasseris There wasn’t much wind blowing through Hanoi that morning. The air was heavy and humid, like every step I took was like walking through a pool of water. It was my first morning in Hanoi [...]

Entrepreneurs Michael Has Visited

Update for Mẫn Thị Minh Group

Sep 21, 2009

On a recent trip I was delighted to meet Ms. Man Thi Minh, a wonderful woman with a beautiful home and family. When I visited Ms. Minh she brought me to some of her fields where she is working on a crop of [...]

Update for Trần Thị Vụ Group

Sep 21, 2009

Have you ever wondered how the traditional cone shaped hate is made that people where in Vietnam? Well, on my latest visit to the Bac Ninh branch office I was able to learn how to make these traditional hats, and [...]

Update for Thi Bich Hang's Group

Sep 21, 2009

On a recent trip to SEDA\'s field office in Bac Ninh province I was able to meet Ms. Hang Chu at her home. Ms. Hang Chu is a young mother who also runs a pig raising business. She tells me that she used the loan [...]

Update for Livestock And Woodwork Group

Sep 1, 2009

Ms. Nguyen Thi Dang is one of SEDA\'s great success stories. A few years ago Ms. Nguyen and her husband had a small home and no where to raise any animals. They also had no money to buy any animals to raise, so [...]

Update for Nguyễn Thị Dung Group

Sep 1, 2009

On a recent trip to the Bac Ninh branch office I expected to meet some clients. I wasn\'t expecting to help make some tofu, but that\'s the life of a Kiva fellow! When I came to Ms. Nguyen\'s home I immediately [...]