Kiva’s First-Ever Corporate Trip to the Field

First stop on the agenda was HP Costa Rica’s offices for a Coffee Talk Presentation. Driving to the office, I was excited to have all these parties meet and to be in the same room for the first time in Kiva history. It was amazing to see how many employees are lenders because of HP’s corporate partnership with Kiva. At the Coffee Talk Presentation, these employees had the opportunity to meet borrower Lucrecia, hear her story, and learn how her loan made an impact on her life.

Next on the itinerary was to visit the office of Fundación Mujer. Fundación Mujer’s employees, Board of Directors, and more borrowers received us with a warm welcome. After introductions, the borrowers talked about their small businesses and expressed their gratitude to all the investors who supported their projects. These borrowers were all Nicaraguan immigrants and explained that because of their immigrant status, they do not have other options for taking out a loan.


We also spoke with Ligia Calvo, who learned of Fundación Mujer in 1985 when she took out her first loan to support her small business of selling jewelry and purses. She started selling these items door-to-door, then out of her car, and then from a small shop in her home. As her business grew, she was able to save money to pay for her law school.

Three years ago, Ligia joined Fundación Mujer’s Board of Directors. When we asked her about the impact of microfinance, especially among women, Ligia responded that microfinance is very important as it gives opportunity to people who have dreams but limited financial resources. By taking out loans, Ligia learned how to save and invest money. She believes that women are brave and can break down barriers on their own. Ligia happily expressed, “Now I have both my profession and my business on the side. I am proud to be on the Board of Fundación Mujer.”

The next two days were filled with borrower visits. It was a great opportunity for the HP correspondents and employees to personally see the impact of their loans. One of the borrowers we met was Tatiana. Tatiana creates Fofucha dolls and other crafts from foam and Styrofoam. Her main clients are local schools and teachers. Her business has grown through word of mouth, especially when a teacher begins working at a new school. Tatiana started her business in order to be able to work from home and to care for her mother. When she went to a bank to solicit a loan, she did not qualify because her small business is run out of her home and she has no employees. Therefore, Tatiana found an organization that opened doors for her – Fundación Mujer. Through the support of Fundación Mujer, Kiva, and Kiva Lenders (including HP employee lenders), Tatiana was able to invest in materials to continue to make her crafts.

Kiva’s first-ever corporate trip to the field – Hewlett-Packard’s Matter to a Million Field Correspondent Trip – was a beautiful experience. There are a number of stories to be told and voices to be heard, but for these three days it was amazing that Kiva could help bring together all these parties to share and learn from each other. We all matter, can all make an impact, and can all make a difference – as HP says, “Matter to a Million.”

“I had high expectations going into the field to meet Kiva borrowers and the actual experience exceeded them 1000 times! I laughed, cried, hugged and bonded with these women in a way that I would not have thought possible with virtual strangers. Their honesty and openness was remarkable; their stories touching. What I loved most was the warmth, determination and faith that each borrower had despite their sometimes tragic circumstances. I am changed forever and changed for the better because of my visit with Kiva, Fundación Mujer, and 10 incredible borrowers.” – Christine Smith, HP Correspondent