This quarter EcoJoia gave three loans through Kiva, thanks to proceeds from EcoJoia Fund products and repaid Kiva Loans. Kiva is an organization that facilitates micro-lending to help those in need help themselves. This quarter’s loans were given to The Bok Jom Group, sheep farmers in Senegal; Sonia, a farmer in Peru; and Um San, a food distributor in Cambodia.

The Bok Jom Group consists of 14 women from the same village who raise and sell sheep. This loan will provide the group with the funds necessary to purchase more sheep. They hope that increasing their livestock will boost their revenue.

Sonia is 29 years old and works with her husband and children on the land she inherited from her parents. They cultivate and sell potatoes, corn, okra, fava beans and the hay used to feed their livestock. Sonia believes that selling these items is very helpful for the progress of her family. This loan will allow Sonia to increase her supplies and livestock.

Um San is a divorced mother caring for three children, one of whom attends the local school and is dependent on her income. Um San earns money to support her children by selling rice and vegetables to passers-by in her community. This loan will help her buy more rice, increase her income, and gain more valued customers, thereby enabling her to improve her family’s standard of living.