hi5 and Kiva.org, the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, today announced a joint partnership beginning in the 2008 holiday season. Users of hi5.com will be able to make direct person-to-person microloans via a Kiva.org community profile on the website, which will allow them to lend directly to entrepreneurs in the developing world or in their own backyard.
As the project begins, hi5 and Kiva will track all loans and report back to the community on an ongoing basis. hi5 members can make direct loans through the site using a credit card or a PayPal account. hi5 will promote the Kiva partnership throughout its site, and all loan transactions will be managed by Kiva.org.
"We are firm believers in Kiva's principles of helping to alleviate poverty through supporting developing world entrepreneurs. Given our global reach and our ability to connect people, we're thrilled that hi5 members can help finance Kiva entrepreneurs." said Ramu Yalamanchi, CEO of hi5. "By allowing hi5 members to support Kiva entrepreneurs, we are making available, crucial resources for entrepreneurs around the World that want to change their own destiny."
"When a hi5 user chooses someone to lend to, and then makes a loan, they are helping a real person make great strides towards economic independence and improving life for themselves, their family and their community," said Matt Flannery, CEO of Kiva.org. "By partnering with hi5 we know we are reaching a broad, global audience of passionate youth who are eager to see change happen and be part of that change."
To join hi5's lending community on Kiva.org, please click on the following link:
http://www.kiva.org/community/viewTeam?team_id=2582
As the project begins, hi5 and Kiva will track all loans and report back to the community on an ongoing basis. hi5 members can make direct loans through the site using a credit card or a PayPal account. hi5 will promote the Kiva partnership throughout its site, and all loan transactions will be managed by Kiva.org.
"We are firm believers in Kiva's principles of helping to alleviate poverty through supporting developing world entrepreneurs. Given our global reach and our ability to connect people, we're thrilled that hi5 members can help finance Kiva entrepreneurs." said Ramu Yalamanchi, CEO of hi5. "By allowing hi5 members to support Kiva entrepreneurs, we are making available, crucial resources for entrepreneurs around the World that want to change their own destiny."
"When a hi5 user chooses someone to lend to, and then makes a loan, they are helping a real person make great strides towards economic independence and improving life for themselves, their family and their community," said Matt Flannery, CEO of Kiva.org. "By partnering with hi5 we know we are reaching a broad, global audience of passionate youth who are eager to see change happen and be part of that change."
To join hi5's lending community on Kiva.org, please click on the following link:
http://www.kiva.org/community/viewTeam?team_id=2582