In the spotlight

Just like you, we’ve been saving up our pennies, and today we decided to put some of our savings toward helping someone on Kiva.

Kiva is a website that connects people through lending in hopes of alleviating poverty.  They work with microfinance institutions around the world to provide loans to budding entrepreneurs.  Kiva doesn’t charge interest to to its Field Partners, nor does it provide interest to lenders.  However, Field Partners are free to charge interest, but Kiva will not partner with an organization that charges exorbitant interest rates. Kiva also requires Field Partners to fully disclose their interest rates, so their practices are very transparent.  As an organisation, Kiva eliminates barriers to accessing capital – a helpful thing for people in developing countries who are trying to start their own businesses and become self-sufficient.

Meet Diana

Through Kiva, heaps! partially funded a loan for Diana Cañas, a 37 year old mother of three from Bogotá, Colombia.  Diana started her own business by making clothing in her tiny apartment.  While competing against local workshops, she has managed to grow capital and expand her business to dominate the neighborhood market.  Thanks to her persistence and hard work, she currently owns 5 semi-industrial sewing machines.

This loan will help her purchase a fully industrial sewing machine to improve the quality of her products and reduce production time.  Diana’s dream is to expand her workshop and offer a greater variety of pieces that will catch the attention of new customers in other regions of Colombia.

As a company that strives to help people achieve their goals, we at heaps! wish Diana all the best in her entrepreneurial endeavours.