Empowering people around the world starts with one crucial step: access. Kiva connects borrowers with lenders, working toward a more financially-inclusive world. The borrowers listed on Kiva.org all have dreams and aspirations but may not have the resources that they need, when they need them. Lenders, on the other hand, may want to provide assistance but don't know exactly how. Kiva allows these two groups to more easily come together in a sustainable way. The volunteers of the Review and Translation Program (RTP) are a vital piece of this process.
The dedication of RTP's incredible volunteers make Kiva lending possible. From translating loan profiles into clear, concise language to meticulously reviewing profiles for accuracy and adherence to policy, they play a critical role in bridging the language gap, telling borrowers' stories, and enabling Kiva's mission.
So, without further ado, let's meet some of the amazing individuals who are helping turn borrowers' dreams into reality. We'll delve deeper into the stories of three exceptional volunteers who exemplify the spirit of our community.
Clare Cook, Kiva Volunteer of the Month, January 2024
“Kiva creates connections that distance would have otherwise made unlikely, and that is just a really lovely thing.”
Location: Vermont, USA
Language: French, Spanish
Team: Kivoilà
Time with Kiva: 2 years
Outstanding Contributions to Kiva: Since she began volunteering, Clare has translated over 1,067 loans with 114,974+ lifetime-words!
Erica McLay, Kiva Volunteer of the Month, February 2024
“Kiva connects people from all across the world and gives people an opportunity to enrich their lives. It is collaborative, unique, and extremely empowering.”
Location: Bath, UK
Language: Spanish
Team: Saliendo Adelante
Time with Kiva: ~5 years
Outstanding Contributions to Kiva: Since she began volunteering, Erica has translated over 1,136 loans with 146,506+ lifetime-words!
Jeff VanGilder, Kiva Volunteer of the Month, March 2024
“When I start reviewing a loan profile, I spend time with the photo. It reminds me that all of us humans are family, and we need to take care of each other.”
Location: Washington, USA
Language: English
Team: Loan Stars
Time with Kiva: ~2 years
Outstanding Contributions to Kiva: Since he began volunteering, Jeff has edited over 9,220 loans with 1,175,838+ lifetime-words!
Want to join the team?
To apply to join Kiva's Review and Translation volunteer team, visit this page.
