Archive | 2011 | April | 24

New alliance allows Internet users anywhere to make small loans to Bedouin women of Negev, Arab Israelis in north, other low-income populations throughout Israel

Kiva, the world’s first personal micro-lending website, has teamed with KIEDF (Koret Israel Economic Development Funds) to launch its first and only partnership with an Israeli microfinance institution.  

This alliance will allow individuals anywhere to make small loans through the Kiva website to Bedouin women of the Negev, Arab Israelis in northern Israel, and other low-income populations throughout Israel.

Through Kiva.org’s partnership with KIEDF, individuals will be able to browse and lend to predominantly female-owned small businesses throughout Israel.

Kiva’s website enables a lender to make loans of at least $25 to support an entrepreneur, and the specific progress of the loan can be tracked, from initial funding to repayment. Upon receiving repayment, lenders can withdraw their funds or relend to another entrepreneur, thereby continuing the lending cycle.

“We are tremendously excited by our partnership with KIEDF,” said Premal Shah, president of Kiva.org. “Bringing self-sufficiency and dignity to thousands of entrepreneurs is an important part of providing economic stability to the region. Kiva is excited to allow its lending community the option to invest in Israel through KIEDF entrepreneurs.”

“As a Kiva field partner, we’ll be able to tap a significant new source of funds for job creation at very minimal cost,” KIEDF Managing Director Carl Kaplan explained. “But more than that, the Kiva platform connects us to a whole new pool of lenders eager to discover how the power of a micro-loan can actually change life trajectories.”

Direct loans

For low-income women with limited employment opportunities, small, family-owned micro-businesses are critical to the economic viability of the family. Microfinance is known as a tool for fighting poverty and increasing women’s empowerment worldwide.

KIEDF has developed a powerful model with SAWA direct non-bank lending to assist low-income populations throughout the country on the path to economic independence. As a Kiva field partner, KIEDF will share information about its borrowers so that Kiva lenders can finance their loans enabling these women to develop their micro-businesses.

Kiva promotes dignity, accountability and transparency – values shared by KIEDF. “With Kiva’s support, KIEDF will be able to provide direct loans to low-income populations throughout Israel,” said Chagit Rubinstein, KIEDF Microfinance Services Director.

KIEDF’s borrower profiles can be viewed on the Kiva website, www.kiva.org. Lenders can support low-income populations in Israel, helping them with a hand up, not just a handout.

Source: Ynetnews.com

Gallup survey shows 63% of Israelis satisfied with their lives, more than residents of United States, Britain. Denmark tops list with 72% happy campers, while only 14% of Palestinian Authority residents say they’re content with situation

WASHINGTON- A survey conducted by Gallup institute ranked Israel seventh out of 124 states, based on the happiness level of residents.

According to the global wellbeing survey, published over the weekend, 63% of respondents in Israel said they were happy with their lives.

The “happiness” list was headed by Denmark, with 72% of its residents expressing satisfaction. Sweden and Canada came in second with 69% happy campers, followed by Australia with 65%.

Surprisingly, Venezuela shared the fourth spot with Finland, boasting 64% content residents.

New Zealand ranked seventh, along with Israel.

The Jewish State ranked higher than Holland and Ireland (62%), and also managed to surpass the United States (59%) and Brazil (57%).

The Arab state ranking highest in the survey was the United Arab Emirates, with 55% of its residents reporting being content with their lives.

Britain showed less optimism with only 54% of respondents expressing satisfaction.

In contrast with the level of happiness in Israel, only 14% of residents in the Palestinian Authority said they were happy with their situation.

Countries in the African continent ranked as least happy, with Chad at the bottom of the list with only 1% pleased residents.

The conductors of the poll argue that world leaders should focus not only on the country’s Gross Domestic Product as an indicator of the residents’ well-being, but also consider other, more vague, factors such as happiness and satisfaction

WASHINGTON- A survey conducted by Gallup institute ranked Israel seventh out of 124 states, based on the happiness level of residents.

According to the global wellbeing survey, published over the weekend, 63% of respondents in Israel said they were happy with their lives.

The “happiness” list was headed by Denmark, with 72% of its residents expressing satisfaction. Sweden and Canada came in second with 69% happy campers, followed by Australia with 65%.

Surprisingly, Venezuela shared the fourth spot with Finland, boasting 64% content residents.

New Zealand ranked seventh, along with Israel.

The Jewish State ranked higher than Holland and Ireland (62%), and also managed to surpass the United States (59%) and Brazil (57%).

The Arab state ranking highest in the survey was the United Arab Emirates, with 55% of its residents reporting being content with their lives.

Britain showed less optimism with only 54% of respondents expressing satisfaction.

In contrast with the level of happiness in Israel, only 14% of residents in the Palestinian Authority said they were happy with their situation.

Countries in the African continent ranked as least happy, with Chad at the bottom of the list with only 1% pleased residents.

The conductors of the poll argue that world leaders should focus not only on the country’s Gross Domestic Product as an indicator of the residents’ well-being, but also consider other, more vague, factors such as happiness and satisfaction.

Source: Ynetnews.com

Tel Aviv opens up its private spaces, allowing the public to discover the city from within

The Tel Aviv event is part of the ‘Open House’ events which take place all over the wold, it’s a simple but powerful concept: showcasing outstanding architecture for all to experience, completely for free.

Open House initiatives invite everyone to explore and understand the value of a well-designed built environment

Pics from last year’s event

Check this event out:

Facebook Page

List of Houses you can visit

DC Israel team & ZION Skateboards are coming together – and it’s all about fun, chill & skateboarding…

By Ion Braun

Imagine you could have a wonderful dinner with your closest friends while helping those in need at the same time – those thoughts were the ones driving David Califa, of the Israeli food blog Beygale.

Califa created a project for Israelis to turn their homes into restaurants for one night by organizing convivial paying dinners with friends, with proceeds going to the organization La Sova, a charity which feeds thousands of poor families every day.

” With our own dinners we can provide a hot meal for people who need it. There is no such project anywhere in the world which can mobilize people to donate and at the same time have fun in their own homes,” Califa told NoCamels.

Beygale’s project is especially relevant this week, when Jews and Israelis are celebrating the week-long holiday of Passover and are expected to host dinners, which many cannot afford.

Califa explained: “The blog invites people to turn their homes into restaurants, or even just throw a picnic – they can choose whatever kind of meal they want, whether it is a fancy dinner, cheese and pastries buffet or a sweet gathering with desserts.”

Beygale’s online application provides the option to donate online with PayPal, the giant e-commerce site which promised to add 10 percent to every donation.

Local food corporations have agreed to help the project, as well, by donating food ingredients for the meal preparation, and chefs have agreed to volunteer as well.

Califa said that with only “2,000 NIS ($587) you can feed 400 people!”

The project has already been called a success with dozens of homes volunteering so far. “Even seven years old children are organizing, buying, cooking and serving in their parents’ home,” Califa added with a smile.

“For the price of only 5 NIS per ($1) per head, we will be able to feed numerous familes who can hopefully have a much happier holiday.”

Source: Nocamels.com

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