New Kiva loan

Makossa Female Farmers Group's story

Fatmata (1st on the left), is the featured borrower of the Makossa Female Farmers group, and would like to sincerely thank all of the Kiva lenders for their first loan. It enabled them to break free from the local lenders who were charging them nearly 100% interest and, as a result, all group members have fully recovered their businesses, have repaid their first loan and are successfully farming again after the devastation of Ebola.

The group is now seeking a second loan to expand further. The profits will be used to ensure all member's children go to school, and will also be used by the group to create a support fund for young female farmers.

In this group: Fatmata, Mabinty, Kadiatu, Aminata, Fatmata, Adama, Isatu, Ramatu, Fatmata, Isatu, Adamsay, Amie

More about this loan

This is an interest free, in-kind loan provided to contract farmers in the form of quality rice and other inputs at the begining of planting season. The loan amount is repaid using paddy rice harvested by farmers. In addition, MLA(*) provides market to the farmers for their entire rice harvest at competitive prices with transportation to the milling factory offered by the partner at no additional costs. By supporting this loan, you are enabling smallholder farmers to access quality farm inputs in order to improve their yield and increase the land under cultivation for increased income.

In addition to any KIVA loan disbursed to these Farmers, Mountain Lion Agriculture (mlbr.org) farmers also have access to technical advise, tractor and equipment rentals. With this powerful mix of capital and support, each farmer’s annual net income should grow – organically and sustainably – by at least 250%, while growing a much needed staple food (rice) during a time of great food insecurity in Sierra Leone.

About Mountain Lion Agriculture

Mountain Lion Agriculture is a social enterprise working to help smallholder rice farmers in Sierra Leone grow and succeed. Mountain Lion Agriculture provides both low-interest as well as 0% loans to farmers in the form of quality seeds and supports them throughout the production process before buying their rice at a fair price.

Katerina's story

Katerina is 23 years old, married, and has two children. Her husband makes and sells furniture to earn a living, which he has been doing for four years.

Katerina requested a loan from SPBD [South Pacific Business Development], which she will use to buy varnish, timber, stencils, brushes, rollers, wooden carved designs, and a new cutter. She plans to use her profits to pay for her family's weekly expenses. Katerina joined SPBD in 2017 to gain access to financial services.

Elias's story

Elias is a 50-year-old man living in Eldoret, Kenya. He's a mixed dairy and crop farmer with many years of experience. Farming has turned his life around.

The major impediment to development of smallholder farms in Kenya is lack of short-term credit. Juhudi Kilimo, in partnership with Kiva, is working hard to support smallholder farmers in Kenya through financing, thereby guaranteeing their survival.

Elias is seeking this loan to buy a water tank he'll use to harvest rain water that normally goes to waste during rainy seasons. With the loan, he'll be able to irrigate his farm, increasing his crop productivity. Be inspired to support Elias with a loan today.

This update on your loan to Elias was written by Kiva's Field Partner.

Dear lenders, We would like to express our appreciation for your generosity in support of Juhudi Kilimo and the smallholder farmers of Kenya. Your personal commitment has been incredibly helpful and allowed us to reach our goal of transforming lives. I am excited to report that Elias has successfully repaid the loan to buy a water tank he'll use to harvest rain water that normally goes to waste during rainy seasons . Again, thank you! It is great to know that we have friends from all over the world who support our farmers. Sincerely, The Juhudi Kilimo Team

Marie Lucienne's story

Marie Lucienne is a widow. She is 49 years old and has seven children, including five who are already independent. She lives in a family home located in an isolated village. She has been raising free ranges chickens for twenty years. She partners with Vahatra. During her previous loan, she invested her profits in growing peanuts and rice. At this point, she wishes to increase her flock of chickens. She wants to raise her income and improve her family's living conditions. Therefore, she needs the lenders' support to buy medium chickens, as well as corn and supplies to feed her flock. She will save her profits and plans to build a home for her family in the future.

A loan of $150 helps to buy medium free range chickens as well as corn and supplies to feed them.

This loan is special because it helps the poorest of the poor in Madagascar to improve their lives.

This loan is facilitated by our Field Partner, Vahatra. Field Partners are local organizations working in communities to vet borrowers, provide services, and administer loans on the ground.

Vahatra is a non-profit organization that provides low-income families in Madagascar with opportunities for education, healthcare, professional training, and family services. The organization specifically targets families who earn an average income of $1 or less per day per person, and evaluates each family's need to provide unique and tailored services. With Kiva's assistance, Vahatra will be able to provide loans for more people, therefore providing low-income families with new opportunities.