Hutton Honors College

Connecting Across Cultures/Alleviating Poverty:
An Informal Discussion Supper with
Jessica Jackley, Co-founder of Kiva.org

Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009 * 5:00-6:30 p.m.
HHC Building (811 E. Seventh St.) * SIGN-UP REQUIRED

Even in the midst of a global financial crisis, nonprofit microfinance efforts are thriving. Kiva.org, a San Francisco-based non-profit, makes is possible for individuals to loan directly to entrepreneurs in almost 50 developing nations around the world, to people as diverse as Azerbaijani vendors and Nigerian farmers. Since its start in 2005, Kiva.org has provided more than $90 million in loans to the working poor. In some cases the loans are as small as $25; but those making the loans receive personal updates about the progress of the business supported while being gradually reimbursed for the loan.

Join Kiva.org co-founder Jessica Jackley for supper and an informal discussion of her organization's efforts to connect people across cultures and to alleviate poverty. Jackley was inspired by the power of microfinance after working with the Village Enterprise Fund and Project Baobab in rural Africa. She has also served on the boards of a number of non-profit organizations, including Opportunity International, and traveled extensively to spread Kiva.org's message. Jackley and Kiva.org have been featured on Oprah, the Today Show, BBC, NBC, ABC, PBS, CNN, and NPR, and have been written about in The New York Times, and elsewhere.

Jackley will be speaking at a public event at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 24, in the Neal-Marshall Grand Hall: "Eliminating Poverty: A Conversation About Microfinance with Jessica Jackley, Co-founder of Kiva.org."

The supper is co-sponsored by the Kelley Honors Program and the Hutton Honors College. Jackley's visit to campus has been arranged by the Trockman Microfinance Initiative, a student organization based in the Kelley School of Business, with support from departments and organizations across campus.

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