Volunteer spotlight: “It’s really amazing to see how very similar we are despite our differences.”

April 20, 2021

At any given moment, Kiva’s website hosts thousands of borrower profiles and loan requests from all corners of the globe. As a result, many of these profiles require translation and editing before they can be made visible to the public. This is where the Review and Translation Program (RTP) steps in.

RTP is composed of hundreds of volunteers that review, translate and edit loans on a daily basis in order to see them fundraise on the Kiva site. These individuals typically review at least 16,000 loans per month. Their skills are so appreciated and just last year, they contributed to $141,536,950 in fully funded loans.

This month, we want to shine the spotlight on three individual volunteers: Joanne, Sophie, and Kathy. We are so incredibly grateful for these women who dedicate a large portion of their time to empowering borrowers and creating a more financially inclusive world. Without their contributions and the efforts of all RTP volunteers, Kiva wouldn’t have the same capacity to support borrowers.

---

Joanne Assheton
Kiva Volunteer of the Month, January 2021

“I do like the idea that people are helping themselves…I think those people are amazing.”

City: Normandy, France
Language: French
Team: Qui Va Bien
Time with Kiva: 3 years, 9 months
Outstanding contributions to Kiva: A seasoned traveler and volunteer, Joanne has reviewed over 900 loans since 2017.

---

Sophie Asmar
Kiva Volunteer of the Month, February 2021

“It’s really amazing to see how very similar we are despite our differences.”

City: Castelleone, Italy
Language: English
Team: Kiva Comma Squad
Time with Kiva: 4 years, 5 months
Outstanding contributions to Kiva: Since she began volunteering in 2016, Sophie has reviewed over 3,000 loans.

---

Kathy McCardwell
Kiva Volunteer of the Month, March 2021

“It’s wonderful that Kiva is out there with its Field Partners to promote single mothers and their chance to succeed.”

Location: Arvada, Colorado
Language: Spanish
Team: Cambiamos
Time with Kiva: 4 years, 7 months
Outstanding contributions to Kiva: Kathy has reviewed over 1,500 loans since she joined Kiva in 2016.

---

Want to be part of this amazing community of translators? Join us here.