Amanda Graham-Rowe, First Vice President and International Affairs Chair
international project with KIVA.
KIVA Project
Kiva is a global nonprofit focused on expanding financial access to underserved communities, empowering individuals to create economic opportunity and financial stability. By providing fair access to capital, Kiva helps women and girls afford education, enables women to start businesses, supports farmers with equipment investments, and helps families cover emergency healthcare costs.
Kiva loans are repaid to individual lenders, who do not receive interest, making it a philanthropic effort. However, the ability to relend after repayment magnifies the impact, far beyond a one-time donation.
Since launching this initiative in November 2023, we’ve funded 6 loans across 6 countries (Congo DRC, Indonesia, Nicaragua, Tajikistan, Peru, and Ecuador) in support of women who are positively impacting their communities. To date, we’ve loaned a total of $1,000, with $535 repaid, allowing us to continue relending and supporting more women.
KIVA Project: Empowering Women Worldwide:
BPW Brampton Caledon continues to make a global impact through its support of women entrepreneurs via Kiva microloans. We currently have three active loans helping women improve their livelihoods and strengthen their communities:
November 2025 update:
Deployed $500 USD as approved in our budget for this year: 4 new loans.
Sustainable Artisan Development Project (Peru) – USD$250
- Purpose: Training, market access, and income support for 250+ artisans
- Repayment status – $38.27 repaid; currently behind schedule
- Note: Originally due December 2025 – awaiting revised repayment schedule
This project supports over 250 artisans in northern Peru—many of them women from indigenous communities—by providing training, access to markets, and opportunities to increase their income. By promoting a home-based work model, the initiative allows artisans to earn a living while fulfilling caregiving responsibilities. As a result, participating households living in extreme poverty have seen a 25% increase in their earnings.
Madina (Tajikistan) – USD$125
- Purpose: X-ray specialist upgrading equipment to meet demand and improve healthcare access
- Repayment Status: $58.77 repaid; on schedule
- Expected Full Repayment: October 2026
Madina, a dedicated X-ray specialist serving a rural village, is seeking funding to upgrade her aging X-ray machine. With improved equipment, she will be able to produce clearer, more accurate radiographs—leading to faster diagnoses and better treatment outcomes for her community.
Gloria (Ghana) – USD$125
- Purpose: Expanding mobile money business to meet customer demand
- Repayment Status: Repayment begins December 1, 2025
- Expected Full Repayment: September 2026
- Social Impact: Gloria will volunteer 2.5 hours/week as a CAMFED Agriculture Guide, training young women in sustainable farming
To better serve her growing customer base, Gloria is expanding her mobile money business. In addition to her entrepreneurial work, Gloria is committed to giving back to her community. She will be volunteering 2.5 hours each week as a CAMFED Agriculture Guide, training young women in sustainable farming practices and helping them build resilient livelihoods.
NEW – Hiền (Vietnam) – USD$125
- Purpose: to purchase fishing tools (nets, floats, lead weights) for her business making fishing nets. This loan empowers female entrepreneurs living in remote rural communities. Previous loans have helped to greatly improve her family’s living conditions.
- Repayment Status: Repayment begins December 1, 2025
- Expected Full Repayment: February 2027
NEW – Ruth (Ghana) – USD$125
- Purpose: to purchase ingredients to produce more food to meet her customer demands. A previous loans helped her start the business. Profits were reinvested.
- Repayment Status: Repayment begins December 1, 2025
- Expected Full Repayment: February 2027
- Social Impact: Gloria will volunteer 2.5 hours/week as a CAMFED Learner Guide, facilitating classes from CAMFED’s ‘My Better World’ program with students at her local secondary school, helping them to build their self esteem and motivating them to remain in school.
NEW – Cristian Yadira (Nicaragua) – USD$125
- Purpose: to purchase productive infrastructure – pulping machine for coffee growing business.
- Repayment Status: Flexible repayment schedule over 38 months
- Expected Full Repayment: Flexible repayment schedule over 38 months (Dec 2028)
- What’s special about this loan: Has been in business for 8 years. She has paid off previous loan on time. New machine important for her to process quality coffee. Seasonally she generates 29 jobs in her community.
Fully Repaid Loans:
- Kana Group (Congo DRC) – $100
Loaned: April 2024 | Fully Repaid: December 2024
Helped purchase wholesale boards to supplement initial capital, supporting entrepreneurs in conflict-affected regions with limited opportunities.
- Gotitas De Esperanza 1 Group (Nicaragua) – $100
Loaned: April 2024 | Fully Repaid: November 2024
Funded business supplies to empower women through community support and financial training.
- Nazava Water Filters (Indonesia) – $250
Loaned: January 2024 | Fully Repaid: May 2024
Contributed to pre-ordering 40,000 water systems, providing safe drinking water to 200,000 people.
