Kiva's mission is  to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty.

Kiva is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs in the developing world.

Urban Economics has decided to begin it's relationship with Kiva by lending to Justine Dembelé's Group. The group is composed of six women, all married, who live in large traditional families with their husbands, children, and other parents. As retailers of vegetables and fruit, the women of this group of the association Sabali de Kimparana (fourth administrative region of the Republic of Mali) average 43 years of age and have at least six children each.

 

If you would like to learn more about Kiva you can find information on their website: