Great effort everyone, we made it with days to spare!

No pressure, but I wonder if we can reach 500 in the next 12 months 😄

AWESOME! So glad to be part of this team

Great to have reached 300 loans. 

But sooo sad. I received 2 emails yesterday from kiva.

I have loaned to someone in Liberia and someone in Sierra Leone.

49 Liberian borrowers in kiva including one staff member have died from the ebola virus.

69 Sierra Leone borrowers in kiva have died from the ebola virus.

I have been informed if it pertains to any of my borrowers, their loans will appear as delinquent in the next month or so.

Naturally I don't care about the money, but for people already struggling, mostly the bread winners in large families and given much hope through kiva, to then be dealt a cruel sudden shock of losing the backbone in the family, is beyond words.

It brings tears to my eyes. 

I will probably put more money into kiva now.

---

@kopenhagen5 wrote:

Great to have reached 300 loans. 

 

But sooo sad. I received 2 emails yesterday from kiva.

I have loaned to someone in Liberia and someone in Sierra Leone.

 

49 Liberian borrowers in kiva including one staff member have died from the ebola virus.

69 Sierra Leone borrowers in kiva have died from the ebola virus.

 

I have been informed if it pertains to any of my borrowers, their loans will appear as delinquent in the next month or so.

 

Naturally I don't care about the money, but for people already struggling, mostly the bread winners in large families and given much hope through kiva, to then be dealt a cruel sudden shock of losing the backbone in the family, is beyond words.

It brings tears to my eyes. 

 

I will probably put more money into kiva now.

---

Oh that's so sad to hear, it really does remind you of the challenges that people are facing everyday, brings it home how lucky we are and the privilige that we have.

I know and I have just seen one of my Liberian borrowers has become deliquent.

She is 48 years old and has 7 children.

I hope it's for other reasons but doubt it. Kiva don't post the reasons.

That is really sad.  I hope her family has some support.

Mine have become delinquent too   

Kiva have said they will give all field partners in these countries grace until the end of the year so I'm hoping it's just that Kiva have marked them all delinquent ... and not the other scenario ...

Yes I have 3 delinquent loans now, 1 from Sierra Leone and 2 from Liberia. 

I sent a message on behalf of the Community Spirit Team in Kiva and received a response - 

To Kiva and field partners,
It is with sadness I write to offer condolences to Kiva and Kiva's field partners on behalf of The Community Spirit Team for the fallen borrowers in Kiva.
The news of loses due to the Ebola virus has no doubt affected not only direct family members but all involved in inspiring hope through all the good achieved in Kiva. Naturally support for Kiva staff should be made available.
As we receive information, pictures and updates on borrowers, we get to know the individuals a little and it affects us lenders in a personal way.
I sincerely hope and have faith in Kiva reaching out to assist the often larger families of lost bread winners to ensure hope and support is available when it is most needed.
We cry with you all.
Sincerest regards, Michael.

TRAGIC IN AFRICA

Hi Michael, 

Thanks so much for your email and for you heart for our borrowers and partners affected by the Ebola crisis. 

We appreciate you and the Community Spirit Team, and our thoughts are with everyone at this time. 

Thanks so much for your support and all of the good that you do. 

Best wishes, 
Kacie Scherler 
Community Support Intern

Kiva.org 
Loans that change lives

What target are we going for this year? Cosmos says 500.

We already have 351 loans so a long way to go.  I think we can do it.