I've watched so many inspiring TED talks as a student, this one may very well be one of the most inspiring. I loved listening to what Jessica had to say and how she worked through her feelings and helped whole-heartedly. Thank you so much for this timeless message.
Helping people you don't see is hard without feedback, Its nearly impossible to explain to others. that's why I'm glad there are people like you... Peter Gransden (personal helping people in the Philippines since 2004)
Her advocacy is a LEGEND in the MAKING.. Her pursuit is a birth place for admiration.. Her call for people to stop and listen is formula for social reintegration.. and JESSICA.. She is just like all of us... she made better choices... turned potentials into POWER and in the END.. she is like all of US..
7:05 "Even if I could have taken a magic wand and fixed everything, I probably would have gotten a lot wrong. Because the best way for people to change thier lives is for them to have control and to do that in the way that they believe is best for them." This is the key to long term motivation and success. IT IS FREE AGENCY. It's key to meaningful learning and to love.
Thank you Jessica for your inspiring talk and for starting Kiva & Profounder. You and people like you are the true leaders in our world. Blessings on you.
“What you know you can't explain, but you feel it. You've felt it your entire life. There's something wrong with the world. You don't know what it is, but it's there, like a splinter in you mind, driving you mad” - Morpheus That was how I felt up until 3 years ago when I heard a man on TV said "This monetary system is corrupt, it transfers wealth from the poor and the middle class to the rich." What scared me was no one disagreed with him, when I discovered the truth I felt like vomiting.
I have made 89 Kiva Loans and I have one person default. she was a lady in Uganda who needed some Building materials to weather proof her home so her kids could survive winter. I invested in her knowing that the giving is far more important than the receiving!!
stunning speech about a stunning concept. the first few minutes of this hits exactly the kind of thoughts that have been in my head for a long time. However, I think it is important to remember that there are many other factors at play in so many areas, before even getting to "make a living" - e.g. people fleeing conflict, not having access to basic healthcare, starvation, societies/countries filled with horryfing tales of violence. There are so many who don't even have the basics to start with
Crying is a uniquely human quality. Sometimes the soul is like a wet sponge, whenever something or someone touches it the water comes forth. Well done Jessica, and thank you for KIVA. Samuel Team: Kiva Buddhist
she was so giggly and airy fairy throughout that her breakdown at the end was shocking. It shows she is really passionate about her work, which is refreshing.
First TED talk I've cried from Jessica, and I've seen a lot of inspirational people. Our dojo has been giving to Kiva for years, and, your new website will really change the world. Sidenote: I'm writing this before 17:00, so it looks like its a teary/passionate/inspiring concept for you, as well. Thanks for making the world a better place. Thanks for your inspiration, and your passion. Putting your attention into passionate positivity!!!
Cara Jessica, mamma Jessica, rivedo ogni tanto questo TED e con il cuore piango di gioia con te per il tuo esempio che ha stimolato la mia partecipazione a Kiva dal 2015. Abbraccio te e la tua famiglia con affetto e gratitudine a Dio. Marco
I've heard her before. And I thought that she's inspiring (NOT because of her looks as someone suggested a male normally notices!) But simply because she took a simple yet very bold approach to ACTUALLY make a change in people's lives. It's simply amazing how so little can be so much in other ppl's life in such a simple way. **Next on my list.. how do i register for Kiva!
Jess, you are so inspiring. What you have done and continue to do is amazing. You're right, we needed something to change the relationships between "haves" and "have-nots" that encourages community not resentment. Lots of love, Chrissy
I find it astonishing that so many people reject a brilliant idea because of their own ignorance about religion and faith. If we are to be a truly open minded people then we must be wiling to hear someone's faith story, or anti-faith story without prejudging them. Here is someone who is re-personalizing the poor and restoring dignity to them charity creates barriers between rich and poor while maintaining the status quo. It is ideas like this that will change the world.
Its great that she spreads the good news - thanks for giving her this platform; people (we all are humans) should not be humiliated with help - but be empowered to help themselves and others (Oxfamamerica, SOS childrens villages, Witness, Amnesty etc do so) - thanks for this beneficial speech
This is great Jessica.I belong to a women merry go round group in our village.We have bought water tanks, utensils ,bedding,paid children school fees and much more.The live of these women have changed.Needs commitment,willpower, discipline,team work , accountability and a few dollars to start and whole thing goes on well.
i'm really surprised to see so many people with negative thoughts about kiva or what this woman is doing. what ACTION are YOU taking to make the world a better place, outside of living in arrogance? because that's what everything boils down to, when you don't do anything for anyone but yourself, while millions of people continue to live in ways you can't even imagine.
@NorCalJJP The greatest part about Kiva, is that we as lenders, and they as borrowers, can circumvent greedy, inaccessible banks entirely. Thank god for this amazing service that facilitates safe, streamlined lending. I cant wait to get a little older and take part of this.
For those skeptics, I have made 35 Kiva loans to date and not a single nickle in default. I did not lend a lot of money, but rather lend the same money over and over again. The total I have spent to help 35 families to date is less than I spend on coffee in a year. So, not only do I help, but all of those who repay their loans in turn help their neighbors. The default rate on Kiva loans is public information and it is a tiny fraction of a percentage.
This is a great talk, based on a lot of experience and thought. Our love for all can be directed at empowering so many all over the world trying to get a foothold on living an abundant life. The KIVA micro lending program provides us an easy way to make that happen.
I really enjoyed this, she comes across as thoughtful, intelligent, passionate, engaging, and inspiring. This inspires me more to get involved, to make a difference, to be bigger than myself.
good for her, microloans have a lot of potential. I hope up and coming economists consider this. These people in Kenya, Pakistan, etc, want to live dignified lives, they want to work productively and get a start they need. This can mean the world to them.
Thank you so much. I am a proud member of Kiva from the beginning and in my daily life I also help people that are directly around me, feed homeless sisters and brothers and listen to their stories with compassion and respect. I am not rich, not even with a fix income but I love to share what I have and give a second chance to whom deserve and need it. Sooner or later we all require a second chance, holding hand and loving heart and smile from each other. God bless you Jessica and good luck.
Nice. I just joined and made my first loan. Ever since the first time I learned about micro-lending I was interested in helping. Kiva make it easy and now I can help more and more every day.
omg you are one of the founders of kiva! This has honestly out of any ted talk, you Jessica Jackley has inspired me so much. I love you and this story that you pass on, I have a new love in my life and it is that word of care. There is only one way to fix this planet and care is it! I will one day share you my care story!!!
This was an amazing story, and even if she started off a bit rambly.. who cares? I had to give a standing ovation in my living room. I've never heard of Kiva but I am quite aware of the revolution that is happening in development circles because of Micro-lending. What is truly uninspiring is that whenever an attractive woman has something really profound and important to say, she's either booed down by jealous males with no original thought in their head, or hurrah'd for her body.
I really appreciate, reading this story today not in 2010 is something i will not forgive myself. I would far. But let me start today . i have learnt a lot. Its so touching .
saying that though...I will definitely be supporting Kiva. Great job Jessica and Co for changing the world for the better. Let's use your spirit and compassion to make even bigger changdes!
Very sympathetic, very honorable initiative. In the aftermath of the coming total collapse of monetary structures, we ought now be well advised to abandon the interest system alltogether, like humanity has ditched cannibalism, slavery, the divine right of kings, etc., etc. in our past history. It can and will happen, eventually.
@LeMegasandwich You know, I thought that too at first, but I continued listening and she didn't mention Jesus or religion anymore, and the rest of the talk was pretty freaking amazing. I'm glad I gave her a chance, even though those few mentions of Jesus at the beginning had set me on guard.
@VigilanteSidekick I completely agree. Even though I'm very wary of religion and I was quite surprised (and not in a good way) to hear the repeated Jesus references at the beginning (I was thinking "really? is this what this is going to be about?") I'm really glad I kept watching. It was one of the best TED talks in quite a while, IMO.
Its interesting to hear that there are people out there who came to know poverty from the bible and not from an encounter of the poor. In my country every minute and hour I do encounter very poor people. Though I am in the blanket of the poor, I think there are the poor of the poor here in Zambia. I have rely enjoyed this power point presentation. Nice one Jessica Jackley. Visit Zambia too
That was an outstanding message ❤︎ Loved your story.... I cried through most of the video. Very very touching... very well said. Beautiful creation. Over 100mm in loans... and that was 6 years ago.... wow.
@lordmetroid No interest. You provide capital and some risk-sharing. Kiva provides a conduit between you and the Partner in the field - their costs are covered by donations from users mostly. The Partner is a micro-lending institution, some for-profit, some not, and they charge borrowers interest to cover costs. Think of it as a donation you get to re-give again and again. Plus, you control where your money goes: review the individual borrow and choose specific people or groups to lend to.
@lemonlees The credit is not "freely available" -- they go through a loan process just like anyone else does. Their business has to be viable or they get no money. Look up "disposable income" and try imagining how much you could save up if you were living on $2 a day. That's $730 a year. Now imagine getting a $100 loan specifically to buy a phone, which you then rent out to locals in your village. Suddenly, you're not making $2/day, you're making $5/day and now you may have disposable income.
@bwmcmaste I have read it and so did the founding fathers of the USA. That is why the word Democracy is not in the constitution. America is a republic not a democracy.
@murmurrrr Kiva's motto is not that Christ will make you rich if you help someone else. Christian or not, this is a great endeavor. Christians shouldn't be and aren't the only ones motivated the help the poor. Kiva is not a charity organization nor is it an investment firm. It's a tool that allows people to be human again. For the majority of those who lend, it's not about the money, it's about allowing people to thrive on their own terms.
@mistacramer Show me where I said that bankers are superior. The point is that the poor are perfectly capable of lifting themselves out of poverty if given the resources to do so. Microcredit does exactly that, and has a strong track record of results. It's not sufficient, but it works better than charity. Obviously it does not address the deeper sociopolitical causes of poverty, but it is one of the best systems we have for now.
Microfinance is not a new concept, but the fact that she taken to the next level is good to hear. But, call me naive, Corporate Majors should also participate in it. and a cycle of Money Making should be created.... its just an afterthought.
It is an amazing program. And it's individuals loaning to individuals. The governments stay out on both sides. I would have preferred the presentation be a little more intellectual and less emotional, but definitely in the better half of TED talks.
some of the comments here are completely irrelevant. if you don't feel compelled by simply human generosity to loan in order to build up a community, then don't waste you're time justifying how these tools "can't work." apparently they do. they are not rooted or biased on any sort of economic system. these tools are rooted in human generosity and faith for man's potential. if you don't appreciate what this woman has built, I'm curious to know what you have done to help the worlds entrepreneurs.
@mistacramer The fact that more people aren't entrepreneurs is largely a matter of the inequality of capital. Also, entrepreneurship means more jobs, which means that their poor can raise their whole communities up when they have access to capital. The more entrepreneurs have access to capital, the more choice workers have in what job they choose, and the more communities prosper. The "bootstrap mentality" is only a fallacy when people have no boots.
@LeadPaintSandwich Agreed, but loans can help the Ugandan upgrading his quality of life : a better chance to get an education, a stronger self-esteem/morale, less stress, etc. Less stress man, less stress...! That's a priceless thing... Cheers!
@ScienceIsKnowledge Agree!!! The great thing is that micro loans most often go to women. They are more likely to pay back the loans. Women also actually use the money for their families and changing their lives. Men, on the other hand, well... let's just say that looking at all the comments about her "legs" gives an idea of how too many men think.
@islandmuffin PART 2: Further I would say "economic freedom" cannot be indexed, because it is far too complex a measure. How do you weigh up the impacts of social controls, individual vs company taxes, regulation? etc. Very subjective. Poor become poorer? Do you think European countries are becoming poorer? Based on what? Our growth is just a little less than grand capitalist countries like the US. Totally worth it. I would much rather grow at a modest rate and have more equality in society.
@silversoul7 My mistake then, but I still disagree that even *given* the resources that it's as simple as that. The context and environment are extremely important: the reason why this paradigm-shifting micro-lending works is because it takes place within a context of little to no major economic players being within the regions of the people being lent. Do you think 100 bucks being lent to a family in the U.S. will help them start up a business from scratch? No --> they need more money
@MomoTheBellyDancer : I agree - that was rather off-putting, but I think what she was really doing was criticizing her christian education as being lacking, negative and static, when in fact what she discovered in the real world is that there are positive people out there desperately trying to succeed and develop themselves and their families... To that end she created KIVA which is actually allowing that help to be given and received in a modern way.
@Neueregel Yeah, thumbs down on your comment. This woman has an important and interesting message; if it's too much for you to comprehend then it's your loss. TED is not here to entertain you, it's here to spread important and interesting ideas.
This week Kiva touts a 98.5% repayment rate on loans, over $2 milllion in loans, about 5,000 new lenders funding almost 6,000 new entrepreneurs, and 1 loan every 9 seconds! Such a great idea, its like real world Sim City. Try a $25 loan yourself and see if you can create change in our world today!
@Hzqi yup, so early scientists were doing their religion in pursuit of understanding this God (even if you think it is false). The point being, that even with religious intent, you can produce good things. Many people commenting are saying how they disliked this video because of her faith. But as we can see, original scientists were motivated for the same reasons she is motivated to start up charities. So why does a persons faith make her actions any less?
@iamdonnajean1 The money is repaid back. It is paid back on a payment plan that varies per entrepreneur. My high school SJC loaned out around $150 my freshman year. We went a little dormant with our account my sophomore year and got back into Kiva this year. The money was fully repaid back by that time. Obviously, there is an inherent risk that you may loose your money but that risk exists with most everything.
@hpearson902 She was explaining her understanding of poverty overtime. When she mentioned, not based her speech on a paraphrase of a bible passage, she was explaining how her view on poverty changed from one that where she could help to one where she could not to do anything. Using that paraphrase doesn't make this a religious talk, using that paraphrase is how most people see poverty. please listen to speech & look at the mentioning of bible verse not as an argument but as a piece of evidence.
that is the difference between investing in people with the hopes that they will succeed and our modern banking system which has created mechanisms that benefit them when their investments fail...
@mrkurt13 OR you need a lot of people just to give what they can afford. I believe, like this woman, that once we can identify (which is lacking in untravelled westerners) with peolpe in poverty, we feel a natural empathy and a willingness to do a small part to help these people in an unbelevaly significant way. If we are truly aware, we will realise it helps us too!
Her emotional centre of the brain is overwhelming her. It is beautiful to see how she is emotionally connected to her words.
I've watched so many inspiring TED talks as a student, this one may very well be one of the most inspiring. I loved listening to what Jessica had to say and how she worked through her feelings and helped whole-heartedly. Thank you so much for this timeless message.
Helping people you don't see is hard without feedback, Its nearly impossible to explain to others. that's why I'm glad there are people like you...
Peter Gransden (personal helping people in the Philippines since 2004)
Her advocacy is a LEGEND in the MAKING.. Her pursuit is a birth place for admiration.. Her call for people to stop and listen is formula for social reintegration.. and JESSICA.. She is just like all of us... she made better choices... turned potentials into POWER and in the END.. she is like all of US..
It's so touching. Whatever we do, we are not doing it for ourself interest. We do it because we care; we do it because we love.
7:05 "Even if I could have taken a magic wand and fixed everything, I probably would have gotten a lot wrong. Because the best way for people to change thier lives is for them to have control and to do that in the way that they believe is best for them." This is the key to long term motivation and success. IT IS FREE AGENCY. It's key to meaningful learning and to love.
Thank you Jessica for your inspiring talk and for starting Kiva & Profounder. You and people like you are the true leaders in our world. Blessings on you.
“What you know you can't explain, but you feel it. You've felt it your entire life. There's something wrong with the world. You don't know what it is, but it's there, like a splinter in you mind, driving you mad” - Morpheus
That was how I felt up until 3 years ago when I heard a man on TV said
"This monetary system is corrupt, it transfers wealth from the poor and the middle class to the rich."
What scared me was no one disagreed with him, when I discovered the truth I felt like vomiting.
I have made 89 Kiva Loans and I have one person default.
she was a lady in Uganda who needed some Building materials to weather proof her home so her kids could survive winter. I invested in her knowing that the giving
is far more important than the receiving!!
For-mi-da-ble!!!!! Quel bel exemple de partage de passion pour réussir et faire évoluer les autres! Merci Jessica et bonne continuation.
stunning speech about a stunning concept. the first few minutes of this hits exactly the kind of thoughts that have been in my head for a long time. However, I think it is important to remember that there are many other factors at play in so many areas, before even getting to "make a living" - e.g. people fleeing conflict, not having access to basic healthcare, starvation, societies/countries filled with horryfing tales of violence. There are so many who don't even have the basics to start with
Crying is a uniquely human quality. Sometimes the soul is like a wet sponge, whenever something or someone touches it the water comes forth. Well done Jessica, and thank you for KIVA.
Samuel
Team: Kiva Buddhist
she was so giggly and airy fairy throughout that her breakdown at the end was shocking. It shows she is really passionate about her work, which is refreshing.
First TED talk I've cried from Jessica, and I've seen a lot of inspirational people. Our dojo has been giving to Kiva for years, and, your new website will really change the world.
Sidenote: I'm writing this before 17:00, so it looks like its a teary/passionate/inspiring concept for you, as well.
Thanks for making the world a better place. Thanks for your inspiration, and your passion.
Putting your attention into passionate positivity!!!
Cara Jessica, mamma Jessica, rivedo ogni tanto questo TED e con il cuore piango di gioia con te per il tuo esempio che ha stimolato la mia partecipazione a Kiva dal 2015. Abbraccio te e la tua famiglia con affetto e gratitudine a Dio. Marco
I've heard her before. And I thought that she's inspiring (NOT because of her looks as someone suggested a male normally notices!) But simply because she took a simple yet very bold approach to ACTUALLY make a change in people's lives.
It's simply amazing how so little can be so much in other ppl's life in such a simple way.
**Next on my list.. how do i register for Kiva!
Wow, she's off the charts. Great job Jessica.
Jess, you are so inspiring. What you have done and continue to do is amazing. You're right, we needed something to change the relationships between "haves" and "have-nots" that encourages community not resentment.
Lots of love,
Chrissy
I find it astonishing that so many people reject a brilliant idea because of their own ignorance about religion and faith. If we are to be a truly open minded people then we must be wiling to hear someone's faith story, or anti-faith story without prejudging them.
Here is someone who is re-personalizing the poor and restoring dignity to them charity creates barriers between rich and poor while maintaining the status quo. It is ideas like this that will change the world.
Its great that she spreads the good news - thanks for giving her this platform; people (we all are humans) should not be humiliated with help - but be empowered to help themselves and others (Oxfamamerica, SOS childrens villages, Witness, Amnesty etc do so) - thanks for this beneficial speech
This is great Jessica.I belong to a women merry go round group in our village.We have bought water tanks, utensils ,bedding,paid children school fees and much more.The live of these women have changed.Needs commitment,willpower, discipline,team work , accountability and a few dollars to start and whole thing goes on well.
Every time I see her cry, I cry...
i'm really surprised to see so many people with negative thoughts about kiva or what this woman is doing. what ACTION are YOU taking to make the world a better place, outside of living in arrogance? because that's what everything boils down to, when you don't do anything for anyone but yourself, while millions of people continue to live in ways you can't even imagine.
@NorCalJJP The greatest part about Kiva, is that we as lenders, and they as borrowers, can circumvent greedy, inaccessible banks entirely. Thank god for this amazing service that facilitates safe, streamlined lending. I cant wait to get a little older and take part of this.
For those skeptics, I have made 35 Kiva loans to date and not a single nickle in default. I did not lend a lot of money, but rather lend the same money over and over again. The total I have spent to help 35 families to date is less than I spend on coffee in a year. So, not only do I help, but all of those who repay their loans in turn help their neighbors. The default rate on Kiva loans is public information and it is a tiny fraction of a percentage.
she is my teacher from online course in Philanthropy university and I proved to be!
when i realized that she started kiva, i flipped out. i've lent there SO many times
This is a great talk, based on a lot of experience and thought. Our love for all can be directed at empowering so many all over the world trying to get a foothold on living an abundant life. The KIVA micro lending program provides us an easy way to make that happen.
I really enjoyed this, she comes across as thoughtful, intelligent, passionate, engaging, and inspiring. This inspires me more to get involved, to make a difference, to be bigger than myself.
good for her, microloans have a lot of potential. I hope up and coming economists consider this. These people in Kenya, Pakistan, etc, want to live dignified lives, they want to work productively and get a start they need. This can mean the world to them.
Thank you so much. I am a proud member of Kiva from the beginning and in my daily life I also help people that are directly around me, feed homeless sisters and brothers and listen to their stories with compassion and respect. I am not rich, not even with a fix income but I love to share what I have and give a second chance to whom deserve and need it. Sooner or later we all require a second chance, holding hand and loving heart and smile from each other. God bless you Jessica and good luck.
Nice. I just joined and made my first loan. Ever since the first time I learned about micro-lending I was interested in helping. Kiva make it easy and now I can help more and more every day.
omg you are one of the founders of kiva! This has honestly out of any ted talk, you Jessica Jackley has inspired me so much. I love you and this story that you pass on, I have a new love in my life and it is that word of care. There is only one way to fix this planet and care is it! I will one day share you my care story!!!
Wow!!!! I surprised your commitment and motivation to change the lives of the poor . This world is needs many woman like you. GOD bless your Life.....
I love when a speaker gets emotionally invested in their presentation.
They know they will make a difference.
She's a very inspiring speaker, and converted me to Kiva.
I've used her TED talk in a post on my Nextstarfish blog
Thank you for posting this, TED.
This is the best single thing I have seen for as long as I can remember.
This was an amazing story, and even if she started off a bit rambly.. who cares? I had to give a standing ovation in my living room. I've never heard of Kiva but I am quite aware of the revolution that is happening in development circles because of Micro-lending.
What is truly uninspiring is that whenever an attractive woman has something really profound and important to say, she's either booed down by jealous males with no original thought in their head, or hurrah'd for her body.
I really appreciate, reading this story today not in 2010 is something i will not forgive myself. I would far. But let me start today . i have learnt a lot. Its so touching .
This is one of my favorite way of understanding a lecturer.
saying that though...I will definitely be supporting Kiva. Great job Jessica and Co for changing the world for the better. Let's use your spirit and compassion to make even bigger changdes!
Her statement about how we already care and love was profound, I feel that was the best part of the lecture Bravo!
Awesome power of networking and belief in the good in people.
Very sympathetic, very honorable initiative. In the aftermath of the coming total collapse of monetary structures, we ought now be well advised to abandon the interest system alltogether, like humanity has ditched cannibalism, slavery, the divine right of kings, etc., etc. in our past history. It can and will happen, eventually.
Dear Jessica, God bless you for thinking about the poor in Africa.Your effort will not be in vain.
Speaks right to the heart. Well said
This is the only way to heaven
@LeMegasandwich You know, I thought that too at first, but I continued listening and she didn't mention Jesus or religion anymore, and the rest of the talk was pretty freaking amazing. I'm glad I gave her a chance, even though those few mentions of Jesus at the beginning had set me on guard.
Indeed, the ultimate purpose of wealth is to love others. Give and you shall receive more blessings in life.
Absolutely wonderful. Good for the soul.
@VigilanteSidekick I completely agree. Even though I'm very wary of religion and I was quite surprised (and not in a good way) to hear the repeated Jesus references at the beginning (I was thinking "really? is this what this is going to be about?") I'm really glad I kept watching. It was one of the best TED talks in quite a while, IMO.
Its interesting to hear that there are people out there who came to know poverty from the bible and not from an encounter of the poor. In my country every minute and hour I do encounter very poor people. Though I am in the blanket of the poor, I think there are the poor of the poor here in Zambia. I have rely enjoyed this power point presentation. Nice one Jessica Jackley. Visit Zambia too
Amazing story Jessica, you just inspired me❤🦋
Freaking awesome! Genius of a woman!
Jessica Jackley is SO AWESOME !!
That was an outstanding message ❤︎
Loved your story.... I cried through most of the video.
Very very touching... very well said. Beautiful creation.
Over 100mm in loans... and that was 6 years ago.... wow.
@Malphar
That's good I hope with out interest.
This is so inspiring.
very inspiring very true... thank u jessica, wonder ful speach
@bwmcmaste
I'm not sure what you are talking about but I'm only trying to help.
Gold and silver is money and nothing else!
Good luck.
@lordmetroid No interest. You provide capital and some risk-sharing. Kiva provides a conduit between you and the Partner in the field - their costs are covered by donations from users mostly. The Partner is a micro-lending institution, some for-profit, some not, and they charge borrowers interest to cover costs.
Think of it as a donation you get to re-give again and again. Plus, you control where your money goes: review the individual borrow and choose specific people or groups to lend to.
@Proleetness No... she's saying that people try and encourage charitable acts by describing the ethical, moral, OR religious reasons why one should.
Cool stuff. An effective way to help. Call it "Trickle-up Economy".
@lemonlees The credit is not "freely available" -- they go through a loan process just like anyone else does. Their business has to be viable or they get no money.
Look up "disposable income" and try imagining how much you could save up if you were living on $2 a day. That's $730 a year.
Now imagine getting a $100 loan specifically to buy a phone, which you then rent out to locals in your village. Suddenly, you're not making $2/day, you're making $5/day and now you may have disposable income.
ohhhhh she is the co founder of KIVA damn i never knew that!!!! best charity ever
@bwmcmaste
I have read it and so did the founding fathers of the USA. That is why the word Democracy is not in the constitution. America is a republic not a democracy.
@murmurrrr Kiva's motto is not that Christ will make you rich if you help someone else.
Christian or not, this is a great endeavor. Christians shouldn't be and aren't the only ones motivated the help the poor. Kiva is not a charity organization nor is it an investment firm. It's a tool that allows people to be human again. For the majority of those who lend, it's not about the money, it's about allowing people to thrive on their own terms.
@mistacramer Show me where I said that bankers are superior. The point is that the poor are perfectly capable of lifting themselves out of poverty if given the resources to do so. Microcredit does exactly that, and has a strong track record of results. It's not sufficient, but it works better than charity. Obviously it does not address the deeper sociopolitical causes of poverty, but it is one of the best systems we have for now.
Microfinance is not a new concept, but the fact that she taken to the next level is good to hear.
But, call me naive, Corporate Majors should also participate in it. and a cycle of Money Making should be created....
its just an afterthought.
Great video and message
@boorens18 it was just her saying her initial reason for wanting to help the poor. That has nothing to say about her current motivations.
It is an amazing program. And it's individuals loaning to individuals. The governments stay out on both sides.
I would have preferred the presentation be a little more intellectual and less emotional, but definitely in the better half of TED talks.
some of the comments here are completely irrelevant. if you don't feel compelled by simply human generosity to loan in order to build up a community, then don't waste you're time justifying how these tools "can't work." apparently they do. they are not rooted or biased on any sort of economic system. these tools are rooted in human generosity and faith for man's potential. if you don't appreciate what this woman has built, I'm curious to know what you have done to help the worlds entrepreneurs.
this is a great example of why true free-market capitalism must be given another chance - not corporatism.
@mistacramer The fact that more people aren't entrepreneurs is largely a matter of the inequality of capital. Also, entrepreneurship means more jobs, which means that their poor can raise their whole communities up when they have access to capital. The more entrepreneurs have access to capital, the more choice workers have in what job they choose, and the more communities prosper. The "bootstrap mentality" is only a fallacy when people have no boots.
@LeadPaintSandwich
Agreed, but loans can help the Ugandan upgrading his quality of life : a better chance to get an education, a stronger self-esteem/morale, less stress, etc.
Less stress man, less stress...!
That's a priceless thing...
Cheers!
@ScienceIsKnowledge Agree!!!
The great thing is that micro loans most often go to women. They are more likely to pay back the loans. Women also actually use the money for their families and changing their lives. Men, on the other hand, well... let's just say that looking at all the comments about her "legs" gives an idea of how too many men think.
@islandmuffin PART 2: Further I would say "economic freedom" cannot be indexed, because it is far too complex a measure. How do you weigh up the impacts of social controls, individual vs company taxes, regulation? etc. Very subjective.
Poor become poorer? Do you think European countries are becoming poorer? Based on what? Our growth is just a little less than grand capitalist countries like the US. Totally worth it. I would much rather grow at a modest rate and have more equality in society.
She should read Innovation and Entrepreneurship by Peter F Drucker. Starting business doesn't always means Entrepreneurship.
@silversoul7 My mistake then, but I still disagree that even *given* the resources that it's as simple as that. The context and environment are extremely important: the reason why this paradigm-shifting micro-lending works is because it takes place within a context of little to no major economic players being within the regions of the people being lent. Do you think 100 bucks being lent to a family in the U.S. will help them start up a business from scratch? No --> they need more money
Thumbs up if you like to see someone comment on the fascinating work her actual story was all about!
@MomoTheBellyDancer : I agree - that was rather off-putting, but I think what she was really doing was criticizing her christian education as being lacking, negative and static, when in fact what she discovered in the real world is that there are positive people out there desperately trying to succeed and develop themselves and their families... To that end she created KIVA which is actually allowing that help to be given and received in a modern way.
This is really amazing story. i love heping too but as she says its really hard to think we can help enough its because i know my i needed help too.
Agreed.
Also all should read this book, its really interesting.
So inspiring
OH I LOVE HERE WORK!!!!
@Neueregel
Yeah, thumbs down on your comment. This woman has an important and interesting message; if it's too much for you to comprehend then it's your loss. TED is not here to entertain you, it's here to spread important and interesting ideas.
It is pretty hard to tell what does bring happiness; poverty and wealth have both failed.
This week Kiva touts a 98.5% repayment rate on loans, over $2 milllion in loans, about 5,000 new lenders funding almost 6,000 new entrepreneurs, and 1 loan every 9 seconds! Such a great idea, its like real world Sim City. Try a $25 loan yourself and see if you can create change in our world today!
Thanks alot for share this info and lecturer.
@Hzqi yup, so early scientists were doing their religion in pursuit of understanding this God (even if you think it is false). The point being, that even with religious intent, you can produce good things. Many people commenting are saying how they disliked this video because of her faith. But as we can see, original scientists were motivated for the same reasons she is motivated to start up charities. So why does a persons faith make her actions any less?
Remember when TEDtalks had speakers talking about the LHSC, or exploring the frontiers of the universe? Yeah, me too.
@iamdonnajean1 The money is repaid back. It is paid back on a payment plan that varies per entrepreneur. My high school SJC loaned out around $150 my freshman year. We went a little dormant with our account my sophomore year and got back into Kiva this year. The money was fully repaid back by that time. Obviously, there is an inherent risk that you may loose your money but that risk exists with most everything.
it is too nice understandable Lecture to me Jessica.
great. love the passion
@hpearson902 She was explaining her understanding of poverty overtime. When she mentioned, not based her speech on a paraphrase of a bible passage, she was explaining how her view on poverty changed from one that where she could help to one where she could not to do anything. Using that paraphrase doesn't make this a religious talk, using that paraphrase is how most people see poverty.
please listen to speech & look at the mentioning of bible verse not as an argument but as a piece of evidence.
that is the difference between investing in people with the hopes that they will succeed and our modern banking system which has created mechanisms that benefit them when their investments fail...
very nice power -point my lecturer
@mrkurt13
OR you need a lot of people just to give what they can afford.
I believe, like this woman, that once we can identify (which is lacking in untravelled westerners) with peolpe in poverty, we feel a natural empathy and a willingness to do a small part to help these people in an unbelevaly significant way. If we are truly aware, we will realise it helps us too!