One of the ways Red Cowboy seeks to create a more hopeful and sustainable world is by participating with groups like Kiva.

Kiva is an organization that lets you connect with and loan money to unique small businesses in the developing world. Instead of these “small businesses” having to go to a bank and take on a loan with insanely high interest rates, they are able to go through Kiva for loans with extremely small interest rates. These small loans are made possible by direct loans from other “lenders” like Red Cowboy. These small loans are used to launch or expand businesses in the developing world and creates a platform for the working poor to make strides towards economic independence.

Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates from the business you’ve sponsored. As loans are repaid, you get your loan money back.

Here at Red Cowboy we believe strongly in the vision and values of Kiva and have pledged to take 5% of all our profits and reinvest it in small businesses in the global, developing world. We also have made a concerted effort to make loans specifically to women business owners in areas of the world where women have less opportunities due to culture and sexism, such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Cambodia to name a few. Realizing that in many places in the world today women are still regarded as second class citizens . . . we try to partner with female owned businesses as much as possible, believing that our small micro-loans play an influential role in their empowerment.

In addition, when given the chance we try to partner with businesses that are situated in the “arts”.

Check out some of the current loans that Red Cowboy has made with the global small business owners below.

Zainab Shir Hussain (Kabul, Afghanistan)
Zainab Shir Hussain lives in District 5 of Kabul City. She is married and has five Children. During the wars in Afghanistan, she immigrated to Pakistan. In Pakistan she was living in a very difficult condition so she returned to Afghanistan. Her family suffered financially, because her husband was jobless for a year and her children weren’t able to go to school. Her husband found a job, but the family needed further support, so she started a tailoring business in her home. Zainab requests a loan of $175 to buy an electric sewing machine and fabrics which will enable her to make fine clothes more quickly and earn more income.

Rani Bibi (Lahore, Pakistan)
“Five of my six children are married and the youngest lives with me. I make a living by stitching clothes. My son works as a sound technician at marriages and other events. I would like to help him improve his financial situation so that he can ensure a decent future for himself and his family. A loan will help him invest in a sound system and related equipment (microphone, speakers, amplifier etc.) which he will then be able to rent out for shows in addition to providing his services. This will help him to diversify his business and increase his income”.

John Agyemang Bosuo (Dodowa, Dangme West District, Ghana)
Mr. John Agyemang is a photographer located in Dodowa, a community in Accra. Due to the nature of services he provides, which is producing quality pictures, he always has a list of orders on his desk. He however, doesn’t have enough cameras to help meet his customer’s demands. He is seeking a loan of $800.00 from Kiva to buy more cameras, film, and batteries. He is also a beneficiary of KSF’s TEACH product and can effectively manage this loan without fail.

To read more success stories or to find out more about how to partner with Kiva, check out their website. And be sure to tell a friend.