Kiva.org in Taiwan

時常造訪我部落格的人都知道,我認為一個好的部落格,不在文章的多少?而在於回應的內容品質。我非常驕傲有許多好朋友參與,讓這部落格成為我們共同體驗生命的聚會所。當您們有任何問題,我都歡迎您們在此分享。要再一次的抱歉,我用英文回答您們的問題(千萬不要怕英文。這部落格的成立就是要在台灣建立一個英文友善的網路環境。)英文只是一個工具,一個讓我們獨立尋求答案,跟世界溝通的工具。雖然我並不能給您們任何答案,但經過不斷的問對的問題,您慢慢會自己找到答案。

在最近的一次 Ppaper Business 06 中,我寫了一篇有關Kiva.org的文章,得到許多年輕朋友回響,經過他們同意後,我將其中兩人跟我的來往e-mail分享 於後,希望大家能開始對自己及對社會更有信心,不斷的問自己三個問題:

1. What do you hope to achieve in life?

2. What is important to you now?

3. What topics are you most concerned about?

用心的找出這些答案,一直在心中醞釀打量,有一天當您準備好時,就是您開始行動時。

永遠不要放棄成為一個Better Person的機會。

這是與LL有關kiva的來往信件。

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Dear Mr. Chu,

First of all, I really like what you mentioned in your blog posts and articles: you’re a businessmaker, daymaker, ripplemaker. I like the “ripplemaker” especially, because I’m always trying to be a ripplemaker. I firmly believe I can help or change others once I try to do so.

I’m a graduate student studying in NCCU(National Cheng-Chi University and majoring MIS(Management of Information Systems). I’m also a web developer with some experience.

After reading your article on ppaper business, I decided to send a mail to you. I finished my lending process on Kiva. In fact, I have a Kiva account from last year, but I didn’t try to loan until yesterday.

I think you gave me the drive to visit Kiva again and lend some small money for those people in need. I can’t agree with you more that what you said “entrepreneurship is the best way to create jobs and resolve poverty”.

I lended us$25 to a single mother who lives in Nicaragua for helping her small business. The reason why I decided to lend to her is simple: she’s a single mother who raising a child, and she can finish expected amount after my loan. I hope it would be a little helpful for her.

For your second challenge in ppaper business, I feel it’s a very interesting topic especially in Taiwan. I’ve thought about the feasibility and market in Taiwan when the first time I heard about Kiva.

As a web developer, I think building up a Kiva-like website in Taiwan is doable. In Taiwan there are some nice web services for cash-flow, and we’ve got a large Internet popularity, and the most important one is: people in Taiwan is much richer than some countries.

I think there are some concerns if we wanna build up a Kiva-like website in Taiwan:

1. Law issue. I’m not a lawyer and not a professional for laws, but I think there must be some restrictions for this model.

2. Moral hazard and risk such as frauds, bad debts. I think people in Taiwan maybe have some experience or heard about fraudulent organization. I don’t know if it would be a obstacle for promoting a Kiva-like idea in Taiwan.

However, I think the basic idea for helping somebody to start up is definitely feasible. I don’t know how did you consider the feasibility or other related issues about it?

Last but not least, I’m really glad to send this mail to dear Mr. Chu. I think I’ll send mail to you again in the future if I have some ideas about Kiva or something. 🙂

Yours sincerely
LL

Dear LL:

Thank you for your thoughtful emails. You are my Daymaker today. Your English is excellent, by the way.

The idea of my column on Ppaper Business is not to introduce Kiva but to get more people to take action and become Kiva member. It is not the money it counts, it is a way to know yourself. Why did you not loan this US$ 25 when you got excited about Kiva? This self reflection will teach you to know yourself. On the other hands, after learning this about yourself, you got involved with Kiva and loan US$ 25 and become a proud Kiva loan giver. You are on your way to do great things in the future. Now, you are thinking and doing things differently.

Look at the mirror and change the man inside.

Yes, I know there is legal issue on this in Taiwan. Kiva has even more problems in the States. However, they set up it as a non-profit and got into a gray zone when they started. Now, they have in house legal advisor to guide them to comply with the law.

I also know “104 boss” in Taiwan has the similar concept but poorly designed and poorly executed. Prosper has been shut down due to the for-profit nature of the business and the high deliquency rate.

Kiva is micro loan to the real poor people through other partners in the field. The repaid rate is so high that it has become a golden standard. They can make US$5.0 million loan a month now. What a accomplishment?

My good friend, Wendell, told me the culture thing is in the way. Taiwan is a low trust society. We are too smart to trust anyone. Please take a look on Kiva’s member list. They are all normal people with middle class income. They are happy because they want to share happiness. I believe we have enough this kind of people in Taiwan. We just need to find a way to release this powerful intention. Your talent in web design and system implementation could be a great asset for us to launch a great web based social entrepreneur. Are you that good? 🙂

Kiva is a concept. we can leverage this concept to build a web based platform to help people lift their poverty or any other causes.

Please keep in touch so we can create a think tank to use web to do good things.

Be the change, Ping

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這是與RR有關kiva的來往信件。
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Dear Ping,
This is the first time I try to mail you some of my thought. I’m 18 now, and studying computer science in NCCU. I’ve read ICB and ppaper since I was a high school student.
I have great interested in Web technology and business. I’ve learned related skills for 3 years and an intern Web developer in a company for 1 year. This summer, I’m dedicated to an independent website startup, and hoping that I can do something amazing.
The love of the internet is why I feel really excited as I read your article in the latest magazine.
I think Kiva is revolutionary because it show a whole different approach and possibility of charity. It reminds me of Red product project. Most of us consider doing charity to be donating something like money or time but both of Kiva and Red are not.
Actually, Kiva isn’t a new idea and I’ve learned it years before. I still remember either Kiva or Prosper was popular in 2007. In Taiwan, there is no trouble to build such a website. Any senior web developer like me can build a full functional one by himself. As far as I’m concerned, the main problem we’re faced with is that such an abnormal loan agency which perform every operation peer-to-peer and online might be illegal in Taiwan.
To be frank, the reason why I send you the mail is not only because I want to share some of my idea but also want to help you to build up a Kiva-like website in Taiwan. I’m sure that I have great ability of Web design and development. If you have any problem or just need some help, please tell me. I would be glad if I can take part in such an revolutionary project.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you and thank for your reading.
Best Regards,
RR

Dear RR:
Just a quick note to thank you for your can do spirit. I would love to meet you and connect you with other young people who are aspiring to be a web entrepreneur.
Fist thing first, I still want you to join the Nonzero Club and loan US$ 25 to a selected third world entrepreneur. I will reimburse you this amount of money when we meet later.
The idea of my column on Ppaper Business is not to introduce Kiva but to get more people to take action and become Kiva member. Richard, if you don’t take action and loan the US$ 25, you are not the person who will start a business for the good of society. It is not the money it counts, it is a way to know yourself. Why did you not loan this US$ 25 when you got excited about Kiva? This self reflection will teach you to know yourself. On the other hands, after learning this about yourself, you got involved with Kiva and loan US$ 25 and become a proud Kiva loan giver. You are on your way to do great things in the future. You are thinking and doing things differently.
Now, you know how our youth’s attitude about starting their own business. People just got infomation on what’s cool, not many of them actually take action and participate. Only through the personal experience in Kiva and engage with these poor entrepreneurs seeing them to be successul ( repaid the loan ), you will get a sense of joy and know you are a good man.
Look the mirror and change the man inside.
Yes, I know there is legal issue on this. Kiva has even more problems in the States. However, they set up it as a non-profit and got into a gray zone when they started. Now, they have in house legal advisor to guide them to comply with the law.
I also know 104 boss in Taiwan has the similar concept but poorly designed and poorly executed. Prosper has been shut down due to the for-profit nature of the business and the high deliquency rate.
Kiva is micro loan to the real poor people through other partners in the field. The repaid rate is so high that it has become a golden standard. They can make US$5.0 million loan a month now. What a accomplishment?
My good friend, Wendell, told me the culture thing is in the way. Taiwan is a low trust society. We are too smart to trust anyone. Please take a look on Kiva’s member list. They are all normal people with middle class income. They are happy beacuse they want to share happiness. I believe we have enough this kind of people in Taiwan. We just need to find a way to release this powerful intention. Your talent in web design and system implementation could be a great asset for us to launch a great web based social entrepreneur. Are you that good?
Kiva is a concept. we can leverage this concep to build a web based platform to help people lift their poverty or any other causes.
Be the change,
Ping
www.pingchu.com
www.twitter.com/pingchu
Please visit my blog and get to know me better before we meet.

Dear Ping,
I feel glad and really appreciate your reply. I’ve been once afraid that you might be unwilling to talk to such a young guy.
Today, I’m delighted to tell you that I’ve almost made my first loan on Kiva.org. To be frank, when I read your mail this afternoon, I felt a little embarrassed since I forgot that the most important thing is to participate. Thank you again for reminding me what really counts. It gave me a chance to know more about myself.
The experience of making loan is fun as well. I spent about three hours browsing the site and tried to find out the ideal entrepreneur. I chose a herbal seller in Ghana, which is a country I’ve never heard before, as my first try for I believe if I can help him, he can help other people in need in his country. That is, he can spread the goodness.
I even told my father about Kiva. He also consider it workable and was amazed by such an idea. My dad is a good man. He has donate to the charity every year. What’s more, he decided to make his first loan with me. He chose three brothers in Cambodia because he find a dream in their eyes.
However, when we want to check out. We encountered a problem that we have no paypal account. Soon as we finished signing up an account, we still need to wait for the credit card verification.
I’m looking forward to make my first loan. I’ll write more about how I feel after I successfully help other entrepreneurs in the third country.
By the way, I read a part of your blog, and would like to have a copy of daymaker. Could it be possible for me to get one in any bookstore or it’s only available in Aveda?
Best Regards,
RR

Dear RR:
“He chose three brothers in Cambodia because he finds a dream in their eyes.” Kudos to your dad for me.
It is occasionally having met a reader like you that made all my efforts worthwhile. You are my Daymaker today.
I also spent lots of time to find the right entrepreneurs to loam my money too. It is a really fun experience. You know you have been a responsible global citizen through your own effort. The world is always changed by these small group of enlightened people.
I, especially, love to know that you got your father interested in this endeavor. It must be a great father and son bonding. You will get your Paypal account soon and you will be able to explore more and help more people.
You are right on that the participation is the only way to learn. Let’s refuse to be a silent observer and let our life passing through in front of our eyes.
You can purchase Daymaker book only from Canmeng Aveda store and network. Please check http://www.canmeng.com/?p=stores for location. Thanks for your support.
Please keep Daymaker movement alive.
Love,
Ping

14 thoughts on “Kiva.org in Taiwan”

  1. Dear Vicky:

    You are my daymaker that day. Now, you know we are really that lonely. We just need to stand up and be counted.

    Yeh, Nonzero Club in Kiva has 22 memebers now. I wish one day we can reach to 100 members.

    Again, it is OK as long as we are connected and be true to ourselves.

    We vote with what we buy.

    Love,

    Ping

  2. Dear Jennifer:

    Thank you for investing money and time to participate the Daymaking Award on 10/29. I hope you have learned something about yourself.

    Keep blogging.

    Ping

  3. Dear Ping,
    不好意思剛剛才加入您的Nonzero team in Kiva,之前因為找不到所以只用了個人名義,現在成員有22個人了^^。

    今天很開心可以在Daymaker的頒獎典禮上看到您,榮幸的聽了韓良露的分享,在這崇洋媚外的世代,有人是那麼默默的用心與堅持在我們常常忽略的本土藝文上,悅日人讓世界如此美麗。
    "永遠不要小看一小群人的堅持可以改變這世界"

    謝謝您舉辦如此有意義的活動。

    Love,

    Vicky

  4. Dear Ping,

    Thanks for replying to my blog entry. It was my first time to write and was glad to find your response.

    I look forward to meeting you on the 29th and I will bring something to show you how ‘Daymaking”makes my day.

    Jennifer

  5. Dear Jennifer:

    Thank you for the kind words. Actually, I think you are very lucky to find God and a purposeful living.

    When you are ready, you will take action and become a Kiva Loaner.

    Please be sure to introduce yourself to me on Oct. 29.

    Daymaker Day is our small gesture to recognize those people whom I have known and admired for their contribution to make Taiwan a better place. In Taiwan, we need new role model for heroes.

    Thank you for supporting us and vote with what you buy. 🙂

    Give Love,

    Ping

  6. Dear Ping,

    I read about the kiva.org and I am so excited about the concept. I am currently ‘in-between’ jobs but I am very blessed and fortunate that me and my family can still live comfortably and also have some resources to be able to help other people. I thank God everyday for all the blessings that have been showered on me. I’ve been wanting to do something meaningful in my life since I ended my professional career temporarily a couple of months ago because I want to spend some time to think over and discover myself. I’ve been working half of my life and I have never really stopped and thought about the purpose of one’s existence here on earth. The more I read your blog and about your passion, the more I believe that I have finally found my higher purpose in life. Actually, I am very active in church activities, however, I find that I am not yet fully utilizing my full capabilities in making a difference in people’s lives.

    I will be going to the workshop on Oct. 29, I hope to learn more about kiva.org from you and it would be an honor to be able to join your Nonzero team one day. As I’ve read from the previous comments, Taiwan has a low-trust culture and many are skeptical with regards to the concept that you are promoting. However, I do believe that ‘God loves a cheerful giver’ so as long as it comes from the heart, even a small gesture makes a big difference.

    Again, have a nice day and look forward to hearing from you.

    Jennifer

  7. Dear Vicky:

    Yes, it is a loan to change lives. In the process, you change yours too.

    Hey, Vicky, I did not see your name in my Nonzero team. Please double check and make sure you join Nonzero team from Taiwan. We now have only 21 members representing Taiwan, Hong Kong and China.

    I had given 11 loans and 2 gift certificates to invite my friends to become a Kiva loaner.

    It is so hard to tell people they can change people’s life by simply loan US$ 25.00.

    I have made a habit to give loans on my birthday each year. I think you can do this too.

    Thank you for sharing your joy with me. You just made my day today.

    Love,

    Ping

  8. 親愛的朱先生:
    今年過年因為看到了您介紹Kiva.org的文章,所以我把這義舉當作包給自己的紅包,今天收到e-mail通知,才短短幾個月就已經收回借出款了,馬上就再借了出去,同樣一筆小錢,我可以一直做如此有意義的事情耶,超級開心的,我決定每一年的過年我都要包這樣的紅包給自己,慢慢累積,就可以幫助越來越多的人了,助人為快樂之本,這種喜悅想要馬上與您分享之,謝謝您的文章讓我有機會做如此有意義的事情。

    love

    vicky,

  9. Dear Jenny:

    Please remember that this is a place that you can be yourself and replenish your energy and passion to life. I cannot do this without your taking action.

    I really appreciate your comment here. Can you believe the fact that 100 years from now, we are all gone, including the baby born a few days ago?

    This is why we need to live a life here and now, be in the moment and detached from the the judgment.

    Love,

    Ping

  10. 雖然不常上網去看朱先生的文章,但是每次看到都有一種莫名的感動。朱先生總是保持一顆閃閃發亮如珍珠般的心,不僅是隨時讓自己保持光亮,也不時的提醒身旁的人自覺自己原有的光亮。
    在提醒自己有7270天及7270元的時候,不由得驚覺自己要給自己?天?元呢!祝福每個在地球上的萬事萬物。

  11. Dear Ralph:

    Yes, it is a fun experience to pick the right person that you want to lend money too. I also spend some quality time to do the selection process. Take your time and find the person that you felt connected with.

    i, specifically,choose a young man ( not many people loan money to him. most people loan money to a much credit worthy woman who have to raise a family. ). I know the default rate will be higher, however, I am willing to take the risk to trust him. It makes you feel noble that you are willing to trust people. 🙂

    We all die eventually. This is why we need to do things that will deserve our living of this life.

    Thank you for the encouragement. I need it.

    Ping

    Now, you are having your business. I always told people that small business is the best game we can play. A game that is authentic with your life philosophy. You can live your life value with the way you do with your business.

    If you goal is to help people in your business, you are half there to reach a happy and content life already. Good for you.

    No one in Kiva’s lender profile is great people. Most of them are normal people having a normal life. They just want to share their happiness with people who might use this US$ 25.00 more effective and meaningful than themselves.

    it is a simple gesture to get to know yourself. this is what I would interpret the value of joining Kiva.org

  12. Dear Freda:

    You simple greeting and comments have made my day. I know you are hard to please. 🙂

    Now, you know where the passion I draw from. It is these young people ( including your two kids ) that keep me going. I know I can only play a bridge so they can use this bridge to find what they want. After all, they all have to learn their own lesson by doing and making mistakes.

    Kiva is a great concept social business model. They can loan US$ 5.0 million a month already. It is mind bowing phenomena. The sky is limit for Kiva’s future.

    Hugs,

    Ping

  13. Dear Mr. Ping,

    Actually, I think your try to build a sample and guide many young people, including me, to do their best to change something by doing such meaningful things. I’ve already become the member of the Kiv.org and the lender, of course; however, I haven’t decided who I should lend, I need more time to find out who is the person I think he/she needs indeed. After that, I’ll share it with Mr. Ping.

    I’m not great man as there are a lot lenders in Kiv.org, but I don’t forget what I’ve learned from you, which is “Be Inspired, Get Involved, and Take Actions!” It has great impact on my life and now I started my own business and hope that I could be the person who gives the opportunity to the people in need, that’s my goal.

    Again, thanks for sharing all your thoughts and I really appreciate it.

    Best Regards,
    Ralph

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