Do We Have a Deaf Kiva?
Sunday December 23, 2007
Today I came across this article on a new trend in social networking lending. Of particular note is Kiva.org, a website that allows ordinary citizens to lend amounts as small as $25 to groups of entrepreneurs in developing countries. They get paid back as the entrepreneurs prosper and repay the loans. Naturally, I checked to see if there were any deaf entrepreneurs or entrepreneurs working in a deaf-related venture listed..none at the moment. Maybe the deaf community could contact Kiva.org to request that they set up a separate section called "Deaf Kiva?"
To contact Kiva.org to request a "Deaf Kiva":
- Go to http://www.kiva.org/about/help/email
- Select the "feedback" topic
- Click the hyperlinked word "here" where it says "Click here to email us"
- This will open a form. Fill out the form with your request for a Deaf Kiva, and click the "Send Email" button.
If a "Deaf Kiva" is not possible, I would like to see someone set up a deaf social networking lending site. Similar in concept and function to Kiva.org. This social networking site would be limited to only deaf and hard of hearing people in developing countries, and deaf Americans could lend to them through the social networking site.
Comments
I discovered Kiva when it first launched (via Techcrunch I think), and my immediate thought was the same as yours … where’s the deaf version? Have frequently put in deaf in their search box, as I would like to invest in a deaf person. But no luck to date.
How could you verify that the person(s) overseas in developing countries are Deaf or Hard of Hearing? I think this opens another window of opportunity for scammers…
Simply put, suggesting a separate deaf kiva is part of the ongoing stigma generated by a deaf community thats been hyper-sensationalized by the uncertainties thats been created by the Fernandes ouster. Just join kiva as it is and let them help you. Dont separate yourselves from the rest of the kiva sphere.
i saw a hot topic about this issue on deafromance.com ,(yeah, am a member of this pretty deaf dating site).
There also have some pretty blog!
Merry Christmas!