To further my knowledge and understanding of microcredit, I am applying to be a Kiva Fellow for the fall semester. Below is the letter of inent I wrote in my application. I’m very excited to hear from them!
Last September, I created an internship for a fair-trade store in Raleigh, NC called Beleza. I saw that the store needed help and wanted the chance to utilize my business knowledge in an area that I am deeply passionate about. I recruited additional interns and we have improved the store’s website and created a store on eBay to facilitate the sale of products online. I envision a synergistic link between fair trade and microfinance.
With all of the research I have done this semester on microcredit, I desire the chance to be a part of the financial revolution that has swept the world. I crave the opportunity for an extended stay in a developing nation; my experiences in developing economies thus far have made a major impact on my life. International development has been historically plagued by paternalistic “development interventions.” I strive to be a servant leader. The idea behind servant leadership is that a leader must place the needs of his or her team before addressing any personal needs. Furthermore, the leader must recognize the inherent value of team collaboration and should not think that he or she has the best ideas. I am prepared to extend my leadership skills to those in the community without being paternalistic.
I have permission from my University to take a one semester leave in order that I may serve as a Kiva Fellow. Though I have not graduated, I have earned 155 credits and would benefit from the opportunity to be a Fellow before graduating. A fellowship with Kiva would be a valuable contribution towards my undergraduate career and would prepare me for future work in the field of international development.