Dear lender,
For the past 4 months, I've worked with Kiva's Field Partner in Samoa, South Pacific Business Development (SPBD) as a Kiva Fellow. SPBD is one of the many microfinance institutions that Kiva relies upon to facilitate lending to borrowers around the world. They are currently the only organization in Samoa dedicated to offering micro-loans to women for small businesses, housing improvements and education costs. Because most of these women live outside of urban areas, SPBD's staff spends their days far from the office, bringing financial services to villages throughout the country, no matter how far they must drive to get there.
As a Kiva lender, my greatest satisfaction is the knowledge that the minor assistance I provide to borrowers is just an enabling agent — in the end, their choices and hard work are what will improve their lives. During my time here, I've met many Kiva borrowers, and it's always interesting to see the different approaches they take with their loans.
For example, Pe'a (pictured) is a long-time borrower who runs a sewing business out of her home, as well as selling ice pops on the side. She graciously showed me her house and proudly told me that before her first loan, she used to live in a Samoa-style fale, which is a thatched-roof, open-air hut. She originally tried to run a small shop in her village, but the road access is so poor that she couldn't get supplies delivered. Pe'a didn't just use her loans to start her current, successful business, she also improved the living conditions of her family. She now lives in a two-room 'European style' house, with a separate, proper toilet in the back.
On the other hand, Tasi, another long-time borrower, decided to use her loans to diversify her business opportunities. She lives up in the mountains, in a remote village where the land is fertile, but the roads are bad. Before she joined SPBD, she was unable to contibute to her family's income. Today, she has chickens for sale, a taro plantation, a vegetable garden, a pig sty, and a small cattle ranch. Tasi told me that she's learned how to budget money weekly to cover her business expenses while accumulating savings —exactly what SPBD hopes their clients will do.
Whether it is dreams of a bigger home or providing for children's future that motivates them, I've learned that the most important variable in the success of micro-loans here is the borrower's determination to see their goals come true. SPBD can work hard to provide the best service that it can, and Kiva lenders can lend as much as they like, but in the end, it really is up to each woman who takes out a loan. Though this can be challenging, that is also the most inspiring part of microfinance.
After the past few months, I have a great respect for this beautiful, isolated country and the hard-working women here. It may be off the beaten path, but I can only hope that you too will someday get the chance to experience the proud culture and impressive sights of Samoa. For more information on SPBD, please view their partner page here. Thank you, and I hope you will continue your lending.
Fa'afetai tele!
Adria Orr, Kiva Fellow
Samoa