Kiva Loans for Urwego Opportunity Bank of Rwanda (UOB), a partner of World Relief, HOPE International, and Opportunity International

Olivier : Rwanda

Sat, 05 May 2012 12:50:03 PDT

$650 of $1,175 raised.

Started raising funds on May 5, 2012

Olivier is age 31 and he is married to a house builder. He has sold vegetables for seven years. With the loan he will buy more tomatoes, eggplants and cabbages. He has a plan to use the profits to buy a plot of land.

Theoneste : Rwanda

Sun, 06 May 2012 15:50:01 PDT

$400 of $1,025 raised.

Started raising funds on May 6, 2012

Theoneste is 35 years old and is married to a tailor. They have three children and all of them attend school. He has been running a boutique (general store) for one and a half years. He wants to add more products in the boutique such as sodas, rice, and sugar to sell. He plans to buy a house with the profits from the business.

Jeremie : Rwanda

Sun, 06 May 2012 10:40:10 PDT

$275 of $1,025 raised.

Started raising funds on May 6, 2012

Jeremie is 29 years old and single. For the past two years, he has been selling used shoes. Jeremie is requesting a loan to buy more shoes to sell. He will use the profits from his loan to build a house. In the future, he would love to see his business expand.

Erneste : Rwanda

Sun, 06 May 2012 11:30:02 PDT

$350 of $850 raised.

Started raising funds on May 6, 2012

Erneste is 40 years old. He has owned a store for four years. He wants the loan to buy juice, sodas, and milk to sell. With the profits, he plans to buy a car, which will ease his means of transport.

Vicent : Rwanda

Sun, 06 May 2012 14:40:04 PDT

$550 of $1,025 raised.

Started raising funds on May 6, 2012

Vincent is 31 years old. He is married with one four year old child. He sells used shoes. With the loan, he plans to buy ten pairs of new shoes to sell. The profits from the business will be used to make more savings.

Ignace : Rwanda

Sun, 06 May 2012 13:50:07 PDT

$300 of $1,175 raised.

Started raising funds on May 6, 2012

Ignace is 33 years old. He has three children aged between six and nine; all of his children attend school. He sells used shoes and has been in the business for the past 16 years. He wants to use the loan to buy more shoes to sell. With the profits, he plans to build a house.

Jean Claude : Rwanda

Sun, 06 May 2012 14:50:03 PDT

$325 of $1,175 raised.

Started raising funds on May 6, 2012

Jean Claude is 28 years old. He is married with one child aged three years old. He owns a store of different manufactured products. He has requested a loan to buy more powdered milk and alcoholic beverages. He has been in this business for three years. The profits from the business will be used to build a house.

Sylvester : Rwanda

Sun, 06 May 2012 23:00:06 PDT

$375 of $1,050 raised.

Started raising funds on May 6, 2012

Sylvester is married with three children aged between 15 and 23. All of them attend school. His wife works as a farmer. He has been a rice farmer for 11 years. He would like to get this loan to buy seeds and pay for support labor to get the best harvest. With the profits, he plans to expand the area he has been using to get more output. In the future, he would like to have a machine to help on his rice plantation. The agriculture sector accounts for 37% of Rwanda's gross domestic product, generates 65% of Rwanda's export revenue, and employs approximately 90% of Rwandans (as of 2009). Despite the importance of agriculture to Rwandans and their economy, financial institutions view lending to fund agricultural activities as a high-risk proposition because the profitability of these activities is affected by weather, natural disasters, and price fluctuations. For this reason, farmers in Rwanda remain underserved by financial institutions. Urwego Opportunity Bank is expanding into this market and is happy to provide Kiva lenders with the opportunity to support Rwandan farmers.

Valens : Rwanda

Mon, 14 May 2012 04:50:08 PDT

$225 of $1,350 raised.

Started raising funds on May 14, 2012

Valens is married to a farmer. He has been a rice farmer for 4 years. He would like to get this loan to buy seeds and support labor costs to get the best harvest. With the profits, he plans to expand the area he has been using to get more output. The agriculture sector accounts for 37% of Rwanda's gross domestic product, generates 65% of Rwanda's export revenue, and employs approximately 90% of Rwandans (as of 2009). Despite the importance of agriculture to Rwandans and their economy, financial institutions view lending to fund agricultural activities as a high-risk proposition because the profitability of these activities is affected by weather, natural disasters, and price fluctuations. For this reason, farmers in Rwanda remain under-served by financial institutions. Urwego Opportunity Bank is expanding into this market and is happy to provide Kiva lenders with the opportunity to support Rwandan farmers.

Elisee : Rwanda

Wed, 09 May 2012 18:40:12 PDT

$500 of $1,375 raised.

Started raising funds on May 9, 2012

Elisee is married with three children between the ages of 7 to 15, and all of them are enrolled in school. His wife works as a farmer, and he has been a rice farmer for five years. He would like to get this loan to buy seeds and support labor costs to get the best harvest. With the profits, he plans to expand the area he has been using to get more output. The agriculture sector accounts for 37% of Rwanda's gross domestic product, generates 65% of Rwanda's export revenue, and employs approximately 90% of Rwandans (as of 2009). Despite the importance of agriculture to Rwandans and their economy, financial institutions view lending to fund agricultural activities as a high-risk proposition because the profitability of these activities is affected by weather, natural disasters, and price fluctuations. For this reason, farmers in Rwanda remain underserved by financial institutions. Urwego Opportunity Bank is expanding into this market and is happy to provide Kiva lenders with the opportunity to support Rwandan farmers.

Emmanuel : Rwanda

Thu, 10 May 2012 03:10:02 PDT

$275 of $1,025 raised.

Started raising funds on May 10, 2012

Emmanuel is married with three children who range in age from three to 12. All the children have managed to attend school. His wife is a farmer and he has been a rice farmer for 10 years. He would like to get this loan to buy seeds and support labor costs to get the best harvest. With the profits, he plans to expand the area which he has been using to get more output. The agriculture sector accounts for 37% of Rwanda's gross domestic product, generates 65% of Rwanda's export revenue, and employs approximately 90% of Rwandans (as of 2009). Despite the importance of agriculture to Rwandans and their economy, financial institutions view lending to fund agricultural activities as a high-risk proposition because the profitability of these activities is affected by weather, natural disasters and price fluctuations. For this reason, farmers in Rwanda remain under-served by financial institutions. Urwego Opportunity Bank is expanding into this market and is happy to provide Kiva lenders with the opportunity to support Rwandan farmers.

Jerome : Rwanda

Wed, 23 May 2012 15:00:09 PDT

$75 of $1,025 raised.

Started raising funds on May 23, 2012

Jerome is 40 years old. He is a father of one child, aged four. His wife works at the government institute. Jerome sells bed sheets and has spent twelve years in the business. With the loan, he wants to buy more bed sheets to sell. He plans to use the profits for savings.

Sylvere : Rwanda

Sat, 05 May 2012 16:50:02 PDT

$250 of $850 raised.

Started raising funds on May 5, 2012

Sylvere is 26 years old. He sells trousers and shirts for men. He has been in the business for five years. With the loan, he will buy more trousers and shirts to sell. He wants to buy a plot of land from the profits.

Jean Baptiste : Rwanda

Mon, 07 May 2012 03:40:03 PDT

$200 of $1,350 raised.

Started raising funds on May 7, 2012

Jean Baptiste is married with three children aged between 14 and 18. All are enrolled in school. His wife works as a farmer. He has been a rice farmer for five years. He would like to get this loan to buy seeds and support labor costs to get the best harvest. With the profits, he plans to expand the area he has been using to get more output. The agriculture sector accounts for 37% of Rwanda's gross domestic product, generates 65% of Rwanda's export revenue and employs approximately 90% of Rwandans (as of 2009). Despite the importance of agriculture to Rwandans and their economy, financial institutions view lending to fund agricultural activities as a high-risk proposition because the profitability of these activities is affected by weather, natural disasters, and price fluctuations. For this reason, farmers in Rwanda remain underserved by financial institutions. Urwego Opportunity Bank is expanding into this market and is happy to provide Kiva lenders with the opportunity to support Rwandan farmers.

Jean : Rwanda

Mon, 07 May 2012 03:50:02 PDT

$225 of $925 raised.

Started raising funds on May 7, 2012

Jean is married with three children aged between 3 and 18. Two of them are enrolled in school. His wife works as a farmer. He has been a rice farmer for four years. He would like to get this loan to buy seeds and support labor costs to get the best harvest. With the profits, he plans to expand the area he has been using to get more output. The agriculture sector accounts for 37% of Rwanda's gross domestic product, generates 65% of Rwanda's export revenue, and employs approximately 90% of Rwandans (as of 2009). Despite the importance of agriculture to Rwandans and their economy, financial institutions view lending to fund agricultural activities as a high-risk proposition because the profitability of these activities is affected by weather, natural disasters, and price fluctuations. For this reason, farmers in Rwanda remain underserved by financial institutions. Urwego Opportunity Bank is expanding into this market and is happy to provide Kiva lenders with the opportunity to support Rwandan farmers.

Innocent : Rwanda

Mon, 14 May 2012 04:50:02 PDT

$125 of $1,275 raised.

Started raising funds on May 14, 2012

Innocent is single. He has been a rice farmer for 7 years. He would like to get this loan to buy seeds and support labor costs to get the best harvest. With the profits, he plans to expand the area he has been using to get more output. The agriculture sector accounts for 37% of Rwanda's gross domestic product, generates 65% of Rwanda's export revenue, and employs approximately 90% of Rwandans (as of 2009). Despite the importance of agriculture to Rwandans and their economy, financial institutions view lending to fund agricultural activities as a high-risk proposition because the profitability of these activities is affected by weather, natural disasters, and price fluctuations. For this reason, farmers in Rwanda remain under-served by financial institutions. Urwego Opportunity Bank is expanding into this market and is happy to provide Kiva lenders with the opportunity to support Rwandan farmers.

Samuel : Rwanda

Wed, 09 May 2012 14:40:02 PDT

$175 of $1,050 raised.

Started raising funds on May 9, 2012

Samuel is married with four children between 9 and 20. All of them are enrolled in school. His wife works as a farmer. He has been a rice farmer for 20 years. He would like to get this loan to buy seeds and support labor costs to get the best harvest. With the profits, he plans to expand the area he has been using to get more output. The agriculture sector accounts for 37% of Rwanda's gross domestic product, generates 65% of Rwanda's export revenue, and employs approximately 90% of Rwandans (as of 2009). Despite the importance of agriculture to Rwandans and their economy, financial institutions view lending to fund agricultural activities as a high-risk proposition because the profitability of these activities is affected by weather, natural disasters, and price fluctuations. For this reason, farmers in Rwanda remain under-served by financial institutions. Urwego Opportunity Bank is expanding into this market and is happy to provide Kiva lenders with the opportunity to support Rwandan farmers.

Samuel : Rwanda

Wed, 09 May 2012 14:40:21 PDT

$100 of $700 raised.

Started raising funds on May 9, 2012

Samuel is married with five children who are between 2 and 8 years old. Two of them attend school. His wife works as a farmer. He has been a rice farmer for 5 years. He would like to get this loan to buy seeds and support labor costs to get the best harvest. With the profits, he plans to expand the area he has been using to get more output. The agriculture sector accounts for 37% of Rwanda's gross domestic product, generates 65% of Rwanda's export revenue, and employs approximately 90% of Rwandans (as of 2009). Despite the importance of agriculture to Rwandans and their economy, financial institutions view lending to fund agricultural activities as a high-risk proposition because the profitability of these activities is affected by weather, natural disasters, and price fluctuations. For this reason, farmers in Rwanda remain underserved by financial institutions. Urwego Opportunity Bank is expanding into this market and is happy to provide Kiva lenders with the opportunity to support Rwandan farmers.

Emmanuel : Rwanda

Wed, 09 May 2012 17:10:03 PDT

$75 of $1,175 raised.

Started raising funds on May 9, 2012

Emmanuel is married with one child who is 3 years old. The child is still too young to attend school. Emmanuel has been a rice farmer for 10 years. His wife also works as a farmer. He would like to get this loan to buy seeds and support labor costs to get the best harvest. With the profits, he plans to expand the area he has been using to get more output. The agriculture sector accounts for 37% of Rwanda's gross domestic product, generates 65% of Rwanda's export revenue, and employs approximately 90% of Rwandans (as of 2009). Despite the importance of agriculture to Rwandans and their economy, financial institutions view lending to fund agricultural activities as a high-risk proposition because the profitability of these activities is affected by weather, natural disasters, and price fluctuations. For this reason, farmers in Rwanda remain underserved by financial institutions. Urwego Opportunity Bank is expanding into this market and is happy to provide Kiva lenders with the opportunity to support Rwandan farmers.

John Peter : Rwanda

Wed, 09 May 2012 18:20:09 PDT

$75 of $1,275 raised.

Started raising funds on May 9, 2012

John Peter is single. He has been a rice farmer for 8 years. He would like to get this loan to buy seeds and cover labor costs to get the best harvest. With the profits, he plans to expand the area he has been using to get more output. The agriculture sector accounts for 37% of Rwanda's gross domestic product, generates 65% of Rwanda's export revenue, and employs approximately 90% of Rwandans (as of 2009). Despite the importance of agriculture to Rwandans and their economy, financial institutions view lending to fund agricultural activities as a high-risk proposition because the profitability of these activities is affected by weather, natural disasters, and price fluctuations. For this reason, farmers in Rwanda remain underserved by financial institutions. Urwego Opportunity Bank is expanding into this market and is happy to provide Kiva lenders with the opportunity to support Rwandan farmers.

Jean Damascene : Rwanda

Wed, 09 May 2012 18:40:03 PDT

$150 of $1,325 raised.

Started raising funds on May 9, 2012

Jean Damascene is married with five children aged between 2 and 17. Two of them are enrolled in school and the other three are still young. His wife works as a farmer. He has been a rice farmer for 22 years. He would like to get this loan to buy seeds and support labor costs to get the best harvest. With the profits, he plans to expand the area he has been using to get more output. The agriculture sector accounts for 37% of Rwanda's gross domestic product, generates 65% of Rwanda's export revenue, and employs approximately 90% of Rwandans (as of 2009). Despite the importance of agriculture to Rwandans and their economy, financial institutions view lending to fund agricultural activities as a high-risk proposition because the profitability of these activities is affected by weather, natural disasters, and price fluctuations. For this reason, farmers in Rwanda remain underserved by financial institutions. Urwego Opportunity Bank is expanding into this market and is happy to provide Kiva lenders with the opportunity to support Rwandan farmers.

Innocent : Rwanda

Wed, 09 May 2012 19:50:03 PDT

$150 of $725 raised.

Started raising funds on May 9, 2012

Innocent is married with four children aged between three and nine years. Two of them are enrolled in school.

Innocent has been a rice farmer for fifteen years; his wife also works farming rice. He is requesting a 430,000 RWF loan from UOB to buy seed and cover labor costs to get the best harvest possible. With the profits, he plans to expand his fields to get a bigger yield.

For this reason, farmers in Rwanda remain underserved by financial institutions. Urwego Opportunity Bank is expanding into this market and is happy to provide Kiva lenders with the opportunity to support Rwandan farmers.

Valens : Rwanda

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:40:02 PDT

$125 of $1,150 raised.

Started raising funds on May 10, 2012

Valens is married with three children between 8 and 10 years old. All of them are enrolled in school. His wife works as a farmer. He has been a rice farmer for 15 years. He would like to get this loan to buy seeds and support labor costs to get the best harvest. With the profits, he plans to expand the area he has been using to get more output.

The agriculture sector accounts for 37 percent of Rwanda's gross domestic product, generates 65 percent of Rwanda's export revenue, and employs approximately 90 percent of Rwandans (as of 2009.) Despite the importance of agriculture to Rwandans and their economy, financial institutions view lending to fund agricultural activities as a high-risk proposition because the profitability of these activities is affected by weather, natural disasters and price fluctuations. For this reason, farmers in Rwanda remain underserved by financial institutions. Urwego Opportunity Bank is expanding into this market and is happy to provide Kiva lenders with the opportunity to support Rwandan farmers.

Jaques : Rwanda

Thu, 10 May 2012 07:20:03 PDT

$100 of $900 raised.

Started raising funds on May 10, 2012

Jacques has been a rice farmer for 40 years. He and his wife, who is also a farmer, have five children, all of whom are enrolled in school. Jacques would like to request this loan to buy seeds and to support labor costs in order to get the best possible harvest. With the profits, he plans to expand the area he has been using in order to get more output. The agriculture sector accounts for 37% of Rwanda's gross domestic product, generates 65% of Rwanda's export revenue, and employs approximately 90% of Rwandans (as of 2009). Despite the importance of agriculture to Rwandans and their economy, financial institutions view lending to fund agricultural activities as a high-risk proposition because the profitability of these activities is affected by weather, natural disasters, and price fluctuations. For this reason, farmers in Rwanda remain under served by financial institutions. Urwego Opportunity Bank is expanding into this market and is happy to provide Kiva lenders with the opportunity to support Rwandan farmers.

Pascal : Rwanda

Thu, 10 May 2012 07:30:01 PDT

$75 of $925 raised.

Started raising funds on May 10, 2012

Pascal is a married father of seven children between the ages of 7 and 17. Three of them are enrolled in school, while two others have abandoned education, and the other two are still young.

Married to a farmer, Pascal has been a rice farmer for 14 years and is requesting this loan to buy seeds and pay labor costs to get the best harvest. With the profits, he plans to expand the area he has been using to increase production.

The agriculture sector accounts for 37% of Rwanda's gross domestic product, generates 65% of Rwanda's export revenue, and employs approximately 90% of Rwandans (as of 2009). Despite the importance of agriculture to Rwandans and their economy, financial institutions view lending to fund agricultural activities as a high-risk proposition because the profitability of these activities is affected by weather, natural disasters, and price fluctuations. For this reason, farmers in Rwanda remain underserved by financial institutions. Urwego Opportunity Bank is expanding into this market and is happy to provide Kiva lenders with the opportunity to support Rwandan farmers.

Etienne : Rwanda

Thu, 10 May 2012 07:30:02 PDT

$175 of $975 raised.

Started raising funds on May 10, 2012

Etienne is single. He has been a rice farmer for 10 years. He would like to get this loan to buy seeds and support labor costs to get the best harvest. With the profits, he plans to expand the area he has been using to get more output. The agriculture sector accounts for 37% of Rwanda's gross domestic product, generates 65% of Rwanda's export revenue, and employs approximately 90% of Rwandans (as of 2009). Despite the importance of agriculture to Rwandans and their economy, financial institutions view lending to fund agricultural activities as a high-risk proposition because the profitability of these activities is affected by weather, natural disasters, and price fluctuations. For this reason, farmers in Rwanda remain underserved by financial institutions. Urwego Opportunity Bank is expanding into this market and is happy to provide Kiva lenders with the opportunity to support Rwandan farmers.

Samuel : Rwanda

Thu, 10 May 2012 07:30:02 PDT

$100 of $1,425 raised.

Started raising funds on May 10, 2012

Samuel is married and has three children age 4 to 12. All of them are enrolled in school. His wife works as a farmer. He has been a rice farmer for ten years. He would like to get this loan to buy seeds and support labor costs to get the best harvest. With the profits, he plans to expand the area he has been using to get more output. The agriculture sector accounts for 37% of Rwanda's gross domestic product, generates 65% of Rwanda's export revenue, and employs approximately 90% of Rwandans (as of 2009). Despite the importance of agriculture to Rwandans and their economy, financial institutions view lending to fund agricultural activities as a high-risk proposition because the profitability of these activities is affected by weather, natural disasters, and price fluctuations. For this reason, farmers in Rwanda remain underserved by financial institutions. Urwego Opportunity Bank is expanding into this market and is happy to provide Kiva lenders with the opportunity to support Rwandan farmers.

Aaron : Rwanda

Thu, 10 May 2012 07:40:02 PDT

$100 of $1,050 raised.

Started raising funds on May 10, 2012

Aaron is married and has three children between 8 and 15 years old. All of them are enrolled in school. His wife works as a farmer. He has been a rice farmer for five years. He would like to get this loan to buy seeds and support labor costs to get the best harvest. With the profits, he plans to expand the area he has been using to get more output. The agriculture sector accounts for 37% of Rwanda's gross domestic product, generates 65% of Rwanda's export revenue, and employs approximately 90% of Rwandans (as of 2009). Despite the importance of agriculture to Rwandans and their economy, financial institutions view lending to fund agricultural activities as a high-risk proposition because the profitability of these activities is affected by weather, natural disasters, and price fluctuations. For this reason, farmers in Rwanda remain underserved by financial institutions. Urwego Opportunity Bank is expanding into this market and is happy to provide Kiva lenders with the opportunity to support Rwandan farmers.

Felicien : Rwanda

Thu, 10 May 2012 15:20:03 PDT

$100 of $1,025 raised.

Started raising funds on May 10, 2012

Felicien is married and has four children. Three of them are enrolled in school; the youngest is one month old. His wife works as a farmer. He has been a rice farmer for two years. He would like to get this Kiva loan to buy seeds and support labor costs to get the best harvest. With the profits, he plans to expand the area he has been using to get more output. The agriculture sector accounts for 37% of Rwanda's gross domestic product, generates 65% of Rwanda's export revenue, and employs approximately 90% of Rwandans (as of 2009). Despite the importance of agriculture to Rwandans and their economy, financial institutions view lending to fund agricultural activities as a high-risk proposition because the profitability of these activities is affected by weather, natural disasters, and price fluctuations. For this reason, farmers in Rwanda remain underserved by financial institutions. Urwego Opportunity Bank is expanding into this market and is happy to provide Kiva lenders with the opportunity to support Rwandan farmers.

Donatien : Rwanda

Thu, 10 May 2012 16:00:52 PDT

$150 of $1,475 raised.

Started raising funds on May 10, 2012

Donatien is married with two children. He has been a rice farmer for 7 years, and his wife also works as a farmer. He would like this Kiva loan so he can buy seeds and pay for labor to get the best harvest. With his profits, he plans to expand the farming area he has been using to get more output. The agriculture sector accounts for 37% of Rwanda's gross domestic product, generates 65% of Rwanda's export revenue, and employs approximately 90% of Rwandans (as of 2009). Despite the importance of agriculture to Rwandans and their economy, financial institutions view lending to fund agricultural activities as a high-risk proposition because the profitability of these activities is affected by weather, natural disasters, and price fluctuations. For this reason, farmers in Rwanda remain underserved by financial institutions. Urwego Opportunity Bank is expanding into this market and is happy to provide Kiva lenders with the opportunity to support Rwandan farmers.

Donath : Rwanda

Thu, 10 May 2012 16:10:29 PDT

$100 of $1,375 raised.

Started raising funds on May 10, 2012

Donath is married with two children, aged three and six, both of whom are enrolled in school. Donath has been a rice farmer for 12 years, and his wife also works as a farmer. He would like this Kiva loan so he can buy seeds and pay for labor to get a better harvest. With his profits, he plans to expand the farming area he has been using to get more output. The agriculture sector accounts for 37% of Rwanda's gross domestic product, generates 65% of Rwanda's export revenue, and employs approximately 90% of Rwandans (as of 2009). Despite the importance of agriculture to Rwandans and their economy, financial institutions view lending to fund agricultural activities as a high-risk proposition because the profitability of these activities is affected by weather, natural disasters, and price fluctuations. For this reason, farmers in Rwanda remain underserved by financial institutions. Urwego Opportunity Bank is expanding into this market and is happy to provide Kiva lenders with the opportunity to support Rwandan farmers.

Pierre : Rwanda

Thu, 10 May 2012 16:20:03 PDT

$150 of $1,050 raised.

Started raising funds on May 10, 2012

Pierre is married. He has two children, and they are still too young to start school. His wife works as a farmer. He has been a rice farmer for 20 years. He would like to get this Kiva loan to buy seeds and support labor costs to get the best harvest. With the profits, he plans to expand the area he has been using to get more output. The agriculture sector accounts for 37% of Rwanda's gross domestic product, generates 65% of Rwanda's export revenue, and employs approximately 90% of Rwandans (as of 2009). Despite the importance of agriculture to Rwandans and their economy, financial institutions view lending to fund agricultural activities as a high-risk proposition because the profitability of these activities is affected by weather, natural disasters, and price fluctuations. For this reason, farmers in Rwanda remain underserved by financial institutions. Urwego Opportunity Bank is expanding into this market and is happy to provide Kiva lenders with the opportunity to support Rwandan farmers.

Jean Bosco : Rwanda

Thu, 10 May 2012 17:00:08 PDT

$125 of $650 raised.

Started raising funds on May 10, 2012

Jean Bosco is married with three children. His wife works as a rice farmer. He has spent six years as a rice farmer. He would like to get this Kiva loan to buy seeds and support labor costs to get the best harvest. With the profits, he plans to expand the area he has been using to get more output. The agriculture sector accounts for 37% of Rwanda's gross domestic product, generates 65% of Rwanda's export revenue, and employs approximately 90% of Rwandans (as of 2009). Despite the importance of agriculture to Rwandans and their economy, financial institutions view lending to fund agricultural activities as a high-risk proposition because the profitability of these activities is affected by weather, natural disasters, and price fluctuations. For this reason, farmers in Rwanda remain underserved by financial institutions. Urwego Opportunity Bank is expanding into this market and is happy to provide Kiva lenders with the opportunity to support Rwandan farmers.

Etienne : Rwanda

Thu, 10 May 2012 16:20:03 PDT

$150 of $1,325 raised.

Started raising funds on May 10, 2012

Etienne is married with three children between the ages of 10 and 18, all of whom are enrolled in school. Etienne has been a rice farmer for 20 years, and his wife also works as a farmer. He would like this Kiva loan to buy seeds and pay for labor costs to get a better harvest. With his profits, he plans to expand the farming area he has been using to increase his output. The agriculture sector accounts for 37% of Rwanda's gross domestic product, generates 65% of Rwanda's export revenue, and employs approximately 90% of Rwandans (as of 2009). Despite the importance of agriculture to Rwandans and their economy, financial institutions view lending to fund agricultural activities as a high-risk proposition because the profitability of these activities is affected by weather, natural disasters, and price fluctuations. For this reason, farmers in Rwanda remain underserved by financial institutions. Urwego Opportunity Bank is expanding into this market and is happy to provide Kiva lenders with the opportunity to support Rwandan farmers.

Emmanuel : Rwanda

Thu, 10 May 2012 17:30:05 PDT

$150 of $1,250 raised.

Started raising funds on May 10, 2012

Emmanuel is single. He has been a rice farmer for four years. He is requesting this loan to buy seeds and to pay labor costs to support his efforts and obtain the best possible harvest. With the profits, he plans to expand the area he has been farming to produce more output. The agriculture sector accounts for 37% of Rwanda's gross domestic product, generates 65% of Rwanda's export revenue and employs approximately 90% of Rwandans (as of 2009). Despite the importance of agriculture to Rwandans and their economy, financial institutions view lending to fund agricultural activities as a high-risk proposition because the profitability of these activities is affected by weather, natural disasters and price fluctuations. For this reason, farmers in Rwanda remain underserved by financial institutions. Urwego Opportunity Bank is expanding into this market and is happy to provide Kiva lenders with the opportunity to support Rwandan farmers.