Sharing voices of microfinance, in honor of Month of Microfinance

April is the Month of Microfinance and the perfect time to share how microfinance has touched our lives. This story comes from Gordon Thompson, one of Kiva’s amazing fellows who work in the field and play an integral role in facilitating partnerships between Kiva and our Field Partners. In many ways they are a bridge connecting lenders and borrowers around the world. From traveling woes to forging new partnerships, Gordon provides an inside look on what it’s like to be a Kiva fellow. Read his story below:

In the movie Taken Liam Neeson says, “I don’t have money. But what I do have is a set of very particular skills that makes me a nightmare for someone like you.” Kiva is about altruism, not vengeance, but our Fellows are just as skilled (in a non-violent way) as any ex-spy.

Many people assume that all foreign travel is basically a beach vacation, and anyone could do it if they just had the time or money. One friend asked me, "Apart from speaking Spanish, what skills do you have?" This got me curious about what special skills my fellow Fellows have, so I asked them to share their proudest moments. The sampling below makes clear that many Kiva Fellows deserve capes, leotards, and letters on their chests.

So just what does a Kiva Fellow do?