As you scroll through Kiva’s lending site, almost all of the international loans that you come across have first passed through the Review and Translation Program (RTP).
RTP is home to more than 400-plus dedicated volunteers who are scattered around the globe. These incredible volunteers donate countless hours to review loans from Lending Partners before they are published on Kiva.
This mighty community of volunteer editors and translators review a jaw-dropping 16,000+ loans per month. In 2022 alone, they enabled $143+ million in funded loans. Kiva’s impact would not be possible if not for the dedication of these folks around the world.
Every RTP volunteer has contributed towards the larger Kiva mission, and each month, we like to highlight one of them for their accomplishments. This quarter, we’re excited to shine the spotlight on three volunteers: Leigh-ann, Liza, and Kristin. Collectively, they have volunteered with Kiva for a combined 19+ years and reviewed over one million words. Please join us in thanking them for all that they do!
Leigh-ann Onnis, Kiva Volunteer of the Month, April 2023
“It doesn’t feel like there’s anything competitive within Kiva – it’s actually working together. In terms of a group of volunteers, it’s quite aspirational for organizations to be able to do that. And I think Kiva certainly does that well.”
Location: Queensland, Australia
Language: English
Team: The Write Stuff
Time with Kiva: 7+ years
Outstanding contributions to Kiva: Since she began volunteering in 2015, Leigh-ann has reviewed over 814,000 words!
Liza Nolder, Kiva Volunteer of the Month, May 2023
“I love the idea of providing financial services to people around the world who don’t have that. In the U.S., I take for granted that I have a debit card or can go to a bank and get a credit card. The fact that Kiva provides that to so many people around the world keeps me coming back.”
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA
Language: Spanish
Team: Mosaico
Time with Kiva: 4+ years
Outstanding contributions to Kiva: Since she began volunteering in 2018, Liza has reviewed over 143,000 words!
Kristin Simpson, Kiva Volunteer of the Month, June 2023
“It’s great to be able to volunteer with an organization that can connect people from different parts of the world and where it feels like you’re making a difference to an individual person.”
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Language: English
Team: The Write Stuff
Time with Kiva: 8+ years
Outstanding contributions to Kiva: Since she began volunteering in 2015, Kristin has translated over 412,000 words!
Want to be part of this amazing community of volunteers? Join us here.
