Kiva.org

In Year 8 SOSE we have been exploring the issue of poverty and looking at how we as individuals, and as communities, can make a difference to the lives of people living in poverty.  As a group we have decided to use Kiva.org to lend money to someone living in poverty who is trying to change their circumstances.  Often people who are living in poverty just need an opportunity.

Kiva.org - changing lives

The students worked in small groups to look at the profiles of people asking for loans through Kiva.  They then decided on one person who their group believed deserved the money and tried to convince the rest of the class to agree with them.  We then voted as a class to determine who we would lend the money to.

The students of 8A decided to lend the money to Sonia Maribel - a lady who runs a butcher shop in El Salvador.  Sonia will use the money to repair the vehicle she uses to deliver her product.  If there is money left over she will buy a young heifer.

The students of 8J decided to lend the money to Josphina Sabala - a mother of 10 who lives in the Phillipines on less than $1 per day.  Josephina will use the money to expand her florist business and improve the lives of her children.

It has been great working with the students on this project and I have really enjoyed listening to their small group discussions and hearing the reasons why they think different people deserved the money more than others.

If you are stuck for a Christmas gift this year, a Kiva gift card could be a great idea!