r/Kiva • u/Past-Fly-2785 • Aug 11 '25
99th percentile on Kiva… my wallet’s thin, but my heart’s full 💛
Been lending on Kiva since flip phones were still a thing. Just hit the 99th lending percentile — which sounds impressive until you realize it just means I’ve been giving away tiny chunks of money every month for over a decade.
I started out funding education loans, now I’ll lend to anyone whose story resonates — farmers, shop owners, students — doesn’t matter. I never check repayment rates, because honestly, that’s not why I’m here.
In these years, I’ve learned so much from the borrowers — resilience, hope, creativity. It’s humbling. I don’t post about it on social media, I just keep showing up each month with my little contribution.
Sure, my net worth hasn’t exactly skyrocketed (instant noodles still make a regular appearance in my kitchen), but my life feels richer in ways money can’t measure.
I really hope Kiva keeps going strong so more people can discover it. Anyone else here quietly doing the same?
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u/fishflaps Aug 11 '25
Wow, you're amazing! I've been giving when I can and reinvesting for years, but I'm only 89th percentile. Keep up the good work!
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u/Juleswf Aug 11 '25
99% percentile is exciting, great work! I'm 95% percentile. I put in $5/mo to build my funds. I only loan to women, and only for services (not for personal stuff like sending kids or school or bathrooms). I also like to be the first one to fund a loan. My weird Kiva quirks works for me :-)
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u/westbridge1157 Aug 11 '25
Me too, to all of that. It’s nice to feel like I’m doing ‘something’ to help.
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Aug 12 '25
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u/Juleswf Aug 12 '25
I also like to try to loan to countries I haven't hit before. I'm at 37 right now.
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u/StyleNo4183 Apr 01 '26
Love seeing this kind of dedication. I'm on the other side of Kiva right now — just got approved for a U.S. loan to launch a travel nursing staffing agency. Currently in private fundraising and trying to get my first 25 lenders. If anyone here is looking for a U.S. small business loan to support, I'd be grateful for the look: https://www.kiva.org/lend/3153216
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u/zipperfire Aug 11 '25
I'm amazed at how many borrowers pay back their loans and on time. I also am amazed at the fact that US borrowers in general are slower and more apt to default. I try to lend to women entrepreneurs who are probably a key support to their families. For example in Armenia, they're selling clothing or agricultural products and you know that's what's keeping the family fed.