Volunteer spotlight: "I love the sense of community in volunteering"

Kiva loan applications are often not originally in English or are posted in countries where English is not the primary language. A team of volunteers with the Review and Translation Program (RTP) edit, translate, and review our loans from around the world. More than 400 volunteers from Munich to Nova Scotia dedicate their time to contribute to Kiva's work. In the past 3 months, our volunteers have reviewed more than 37,187 loans.

This quarter we are celebrating three of our incredible volunteers: JoEllen, Joann, Dara and Susan! All our volunteers are motivated by the opportunity to alleviate global poverty and a desire to keep their editing and translating skills sharp. We are incredibly thankful for their contribution and dedication to Kiva!

JoEllen Wilkins

Kiva Volunteer of the Month, April 2019

“I like that I’m making a difference for individual people.”

Location: Maryland
Language: English
Team: Loan On Me
Time with Kiva: 9 years
Outstanding Contributions: Record of 1,077 loans reviewed in a year and 1,023,388 lifetime words reviewed

Joann Stephan

Kiva Volunteer of the Month, May 2019

“I usually review loans at my desk with music playing.”

Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Language: Spanish
Team: Cambiamos
Time with Kiva: 2 years, 5 months
Outstanding Contributions: 1,374 loans in a year and 429,203 lifetime words reviewed

Dara Olmsed Silverstein

Kiva Volunteer of the Month, June 2019

“I love the sense of community in volunteering.”

Location: San Carlos, CA
Language: English
Team: The Write Stuff
Time with Kiva: 9 years
Outstanding Contributions: 668 loans reviewed in a year and 448,643 lifetime words reviewed.

Susan Vdovichenko

Kiva Volunteer of the Month, July 2019

"I really believe in what Kiva does!”

Location: Monongahela, Pennsylvania
Language: Russian
Team: Russiva
Time with Kiva: 3 years, 4 months
Outstanding Contributions: 329 loans reviewed in a year and 107,525 lifetime words reviewed