What is a Kiva Fellow?

Kiva Fellows Serve Multiple Stakeholders

Kiva Fellows build connections between all the stakeholders, shortening the distance in space, time and understanding

A Day in the life of a Kiva Fellow

• Kiva Fellows blog
• Kiva Fellows videos
• Kiva Fellows by the Numbers

How Kiva Fellows Contribute to Kiva's Core Values

1. Promoting the Power of Microfinance:

   Kiva Fellows engage in microfinance as a tool for poverty alleviation on a very personal level, an experience they will carry with them their entire lives

2. Strengthening Partnership Relationships:

   Kiva Fellows strengthen the connections between all stakeholders

3. Increasing Transparency:

   Just by being there, Kiva Fellows get the real picture and promote better understanding

4. Spreading Technology:

   Kiva Fellows train MFI staff to work with Kiva’s policies and backend technology

5. Connecting through Lending:

   Kiva Fellows generate high quality content, as evidenced by comments on Journal Updates

6. Extending Sustainability:

   Kiva Fellows learn and document the host MFI’s processes – Kiva can’t be everywhere at all times

7. Facilitating Industry Inclusion:

   Kiva Fellows bring information—best practices—about how microfinance really works in the field back to Kiva and to their subsequent studies and careers 

Successful Kiva Fellows tend to share certain skills and characteristics:

• Experience traveling or living abroad (preferably in developing countries)
• High degree of flexibility, self-motivation and problem solving
• Excellent writing skills
• Enthusiasm for Kiva!
• Familiarity and comfort with various web applications
• Dedication to working in the field with a microfinance institution
• Ability and commitment to fundraise for their trip
• Sincere interest in microfinance
• Ability to commit to Kiva for 4+ months

Furthermore, past Kiva Fellows with the following skills have found great success in the program:

• Fluency or advanced communication ability in French, Spanish, Russian, or other language in a country where Kiva has a presence
• Background in economics/finance/consulting will greatly enhance your ability to provide support to the host MFI

Successful Kiva Fellows manage their expectations. 

• The fellowship will be more and less than you imagined. 

• Define success differently than you have in the past

• You may not be busy every minute of every day

• Many of your deliverables will require you to take firm initiative

• If you are not being well utilized, step forward

• If you are not received with open arms, bring a smile and win them over

Benefits of serving as a Kiva Fellow:

• You are a Kiva insider and will continue to have opportunities to contribute to Kiva's growth. 

• A rare opportunity to interact with real people whose lives are being affected by microfinance. 
  

• For those who have always wanted to do more than just donate money, it gives you a chance to get your hands dirty helping improve people's lives. 

• Kiva Fellows are famous! No seriously, people will be watching. Past fellows say they spend a lot of time talking about their experience: at school, at work, in public and in job interviews.
  

• Permanent email forwarding address for those who complete their fellowship in good standing. 

• Your workplan provides more structure than many international volunteer programs. The work is real and has impact both for Kiva and the people we serve.  

• You are given a lot of responsibility for a short time abroad. 

• The experience provides you access that no other organization can provide. You have a place to be, a reason to be there, and concrete tasks to complete.