For updates on this post, check at the bottom:
October 21: Turning words into deed: I donate US$5 per comment on this post
October 22: 208 comments, US$1,040 raised in 24 hours
October 23: 400 comments, US$2,000 raised in 48 hours
October 24: 500 comments, US$2,500 raised. First new loans allocated
October 26: 587 comments, almost $3,000 raised. New loans allocated
October 27: 680 comments, almost $3,400 raised. New loans allocated
October 28: 1080 comments – 400 in the past 24h!
October 30: 1200 comments – 42 new loans allocated
***October 31: Official total: 1211 comments or US$6055!***
November 29: All loans area allocated
One of our entrepreneurs, Leoncia Arellano, lost her livelihood in the recent typhoons.
In the past weeks, two deadly storms struck the Philippines killing more than 700 people. The flooding disaster affected more than 7 million people. While the humanitarian efforts are in full gear trying to cope with the impact of this massive emergency, we should also keep in mind “the human face” of the storms. We should not forget what this actually means to each of the individual people affected by the typhoons, the mudslides, the excessive rainfalls.
Since we kicked off our microfinance project “Change Starts Here” a year ago on my personal blog, we made quite some microfinance loans to entrepreneurs in the Philippines. Unfortunately many of these people’s lives have been turned upside down by Typhoons Ketsana and Parma. One of them is Leoncia Arellano.
Leoncia, a mother of three, married to Benigno, lives in the island village in the town of Binangonan, Rizal province in the Philippines.
She has been very active member of ASHI, the local Kiva partner, and became the leader of their center in Binangonan. In July, she asked a loan of 45,000 pesos as additional capital for her fish pond. 29,500 pesos of her loan was used for her fish pond while the remaining amount will be spent on her secondary businesses: direct selling and tricycle (rickshaw) transportation. We have her a loan of US$25 three months ago.
Leoncia hoped to establish a strong, sound and profitable business so that she would be able to help her grandchildren with their school fees, and someday build a more durable and spacious house.
Unfortunately, this dream might not come true. Today, I received an update about Leoncia:
After the entrance of Typhoon Ondoy to the area of the Philippines which caused a big damage to a hundred thousand people, Kiva field partner ASHI visited all their members living in the place ravaged by Typhoon Ondoy. Some of them lost their houses because of flood, lost their means of living, and worst lost one or more member of their family.
If should see the situation with your own eyes… ASHI lends a helping hand in a little way like giving food which is what they really needed at this moment.
Leoncia Arellano’s family is one of those really affected by Typhoon Ondoy. Their fish pond, their main source of income, lays destroyed by the strong winds and big waves. In the past three months, Leoncia had used most of the loan in making this business more productive. Their boat, used to harvest fishes in the fish pond, is damaged by the strong current of the flood, so they don’t have anything to repair their fish pond and will surely need money to restructure the fish pond.
Their tricycle is also damaged by the flood and does not work anymore.
ASHI decided to suspend the repayment for every entrepreneur for two weeks and want to implement recovery loans so people can rebuild their lost means of living.
I left the following message for ASHI:
I am really sorry to hear how badly the people were affected by the storm.
Leoncia was one of the entrepreneurs we supported with our lenders team.
Through your update, I understand the delay in repayments, and would encourage ASHI to suspend the repayments for a longer period, and to appeal for new longer term loans so people have a chance to rebuild their livelihoods.
If there is anything we can do to help, please drop me an email via peter (at) theroadtothehorizon (dot) org, and I will be happy to help mobilizing the resources.
Thanks for this update, and thank you for caring!
Peter
October 21: To turn words into deeds:
For EVERY comment left on this blogpost, I will donate US$5 to microfinance entrepreneurs in the Philippines affected by the floods. One comment per person, deadline October 31.
If you want to give extra help, join our Kiva team and contribute directly to the Kiva projects yourself.
Update 22 Oct: 208 comments, US$1,040 raised in 24 hours
THANK YOU, everyone for your kind comments. I have to admit this initiative takes proportions I had not imagined. We are now just about 24 hours after I posted this message, and we have already 208 comments, equivalent of US$1,040.
10 new people joined our Kiva lenders team, and started allocating loans to the entrepreneurs in the Philippines directly. GREAT!
In the mean time, I have some sponsors lined up to make sure I don’t go broke on the pledge of allocating $5 per comment left on this post. 
Keep on spreading the message. Keep on pointing people to this fundraising post. It is important people discover Kiva, discover what they can contribute to make this world a better place, find out that by allocating a loan to someone, they enable that person to embetter their lives THEMSELVES.
And from a purely selfish point of view, remember that Kiva loans are… LOANS. Once they are paid back, you can either re-invest or retract your funds. (which makes it a safer investment of your money than what some banks offer, if you ask me) 
Keep it coming, team! Keep on spreading the message to your friends, family, colleagues via Email, Twitter, Facebook or your blog,…
May I ask one favour? If you leave a comment, also note the city and country you live in. It gives readers a good impression where the help comes from. Readers will see there are people with a good heart in all parts of the world.– Thanks.
Update 23 Oct: 400 comments, US$2,000 raised in 48 hours
The comments keep on coming. Here is an overview of the progress of our project after 48 hours:
- We just passed the 400 comments mark, which means we raised US$2,000 so far.
- Several people stepped up to the mark. My Friend E vowed to “buy” 60 comments for US$300, to help us fund this effort. Diane, one of our new Kiva lenders team proposed to assist by allocating new loans to our project. My mum also stepped up and vowed some cash to “buy some comments”. That is great, and part of the intension I had with this fundraising project: start a bit of a snowball effect so others will step up and follow.
- More than 20 new people joined our Kiva lenders team.
- The 57 members of our Kiva lenders team allocated over US$1,000 in over 30 new loans in the past 48 hours.
- I am trying to keep up with the progress on our project scorecard.
I am reading every comment you kind people leave. I can not reply or thank each of you individually, but will try to answer some of the questions that have been asked:
- Q: You donate $5 per comment left on this blogpost. Is this a hoax?
A: Nope it is not. I will continue to report on the loans allocated. We’re running this fundraiser until Oct 31. I will start allocating loans in the next days already (as the people need funds NOW), and allocate new loans until the balance of the $-value ((comments vs. loans)) is zero. - Q: you say you have lined up sponsors, who are they?
A: Blogging is my main hobby, and I run a large number of blogs (check the list). On some of these blogs, I run ads, for which people pay me. Not much, but enough to refund the cost of hosting these blogs, the picture libraries etc.. When my advertisement revenue is more than my cost, I invest it in our Kiva projects. Apart from that, as I described above: some individuals also stepped up to help me fund this. The rest, I fund from my pocket.. - Q: What is your goal with this action?
A: I am convinced that “good” rolls off. I kicked this off as a personal initiative hoping people will think about this particular natural disaster, about the people involved, pick up on the initiative and step up. While doing so, I hoped (which turned out to work) we can create some momentum to bring more “good” in the world.
Meanwhile, I am dreaming: Who knows maybe the Kiva and the microfinance community would be able to take similar actions our entrepreneurs in an area hit by a natural disaster. Very often these people live ‘on the edge’: using microfinance loans they are able to start a humble business, or invest in an existing business, but we need to continue to realize these are small business owners. If something like a flood, drought, earthquake, political turmoil and violence or in this case, a typhoon, hits them, they loose enough to put them back at ground-zero. At that point, they have the knowledge, experience and will to start all over again, but often lack the capital. And that is where we step in, the microfinance lenders..
So maybe I am just dreaming, but I wish we would institutionalize helping entrepreneurs to re-start when they are pushed over the edge.
Please keep on spreading the link to this post. Our appeal for comments runs until October 31st. Get active on forums, blog about this initiative, put it out on Twitter, Facebook and any other media you have.
Update 24 Oct: 500 comments, US$2,500 raised. First new loans allocated
We are now in the third day of our fundraiser, and received 500 comments already. Time to start allocating loans to the entrepreneurs in the Philippines. our first batch of loans is worth $300, and sponsored by a Friend.
Someone -rightfully- mentioned by Email that not only the Philippines were affected by the recent typhoons, but also Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Kiva is not active in Laos, but we will include loans to entrepreneurs in Cambodia and Vietnam in this project.
Update 26 Oct: 587 comments, almost $3,000 raised. New loans allocated
Diane, one of our Kiva Lenders’ team, stepped forward and helped me out. She already allocated 20 loans for a total of $500 for this project.
I allocated another $100 loans (20 comments “bought” by my friend Elizabeth).
A sincere thanks to both of you! This brings the total of allocated loans to $900.
Please keep on spreading the message!
Update 27 Oct: 680 comments, almost $3,400 raised. New loans allocated
Apart from fundraising, we continue to allocate new loans to entrepreneurs in the Philippines who will use the funds to revive and expand their livelihood.
Diane, one of our Kiva Lenders’ team, already allocated 25 loans for a total of $625 for this project. She committed to “buy” up to 200 comments of this post.
Elizabeth, a colleague and friend, who is also member of our Kiva team, donated $100, and as such “bought” 20 comments. Her loans are allocated in this update. In the same update, I donated $300, buying 60 comments, for 6 loans.
Our Philippines project has now allocated $1,325 already.
What is really nice to see is that more and more people start to comment this is the first time they heard about Kiva, or read or are getting involved in microfinancing. And that is exactly -apart from fundraising- what we had in mind: spread the word, mobilize people, activate their awareness of the effects and impact microfinancing has!
Update 28 Oct: 400 comments in the past 24h brings the total to 1080!
Wow! Only in the past 24 hours, we received over 400 comments, bringing the total at this moment to 1,080 comments, or US$5,400. This surpassed my wish for 1,000 comments… And we still have 3 days to go before the October 31st deadline (and that is October 31 midnight European time).
It is great to see that much activity, to hear a lot of encouragement, and compassion for the people who lost a lot due to the typhoons in the Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. And it might not be the end of their misery: the fourth typhoon in less than a month is on its way to Luzon. A new typhoon could put the relief efforts in jeopardy, and endanger the lives of millions again.
On a more positive note, I thank fellow bloggers who published about our post. Quite a few people have been active on Twitter too. Kiva spread the news about our fundraiser on their blog, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Thank you everyone! It is nice see so much support. Maybe, maybe, my wish will come true, and we will see the microfinancing community step forward more actively in cases like the Philippines: cases where natural disasters other calamities took away the livelihood of people. Cases where we need to step up and give others an opportunity to start again.
Meanwhile, we have been dispersing new loans to the Philippines. We now stand at US$1,875 loans allocated since we started the “Typhoon Project”. In addition, members of our Kiva lenders team issued almost $1,000 new loans in the past week alone…
Update 30 Oct: Issued 42 new loans to the Philippines
While we stand at 1,200 comments (or US$6,000), I issued 42 new loans to entrepreneurs in the Philippines. This brings the total of actually issued microfinance loans in this project to a total of $3,300.
One more day to go on our fundraiser, before the deadline of Oct 31 (midnight EU time).
Update 31 Oct: Comments closed at total of 1211!
It is midnight October 31st in Europe. This fundraiser is now closed. The net results stand at 1211 valid comments (subtracting the double entries and my own comments). 1211 comments=US$6055 raised!!. This is way beyond what I had planned or believed could be possible.
Update 29 Nov: All loans are allocated!
Over the past month, I allocated the remaining $1,825 to this project. Friends from The Road’s lending team contributed another US$730, bringing the total of new loans after the typhoons to US$6,055. This matches the total amount we raised through the comments on this post.
Here is the overview of the loans:
| My contribution | 3,750 |
| Donation by E | 300 |
| Donation by Diana | 1,000 |
| Donation by Liz | 100 |
| The Road’s team | 905 |
| total: | 6,055 |
Thank you all !
Peter. Flemish, European, aid worker, blogger, expeditioner, sailor, traveller, husband, father, friend, nutcase. Not necessarily in that order.
Your offer is very kind. Good luck.
What you are doing is great. Wish you every success.
What a wonderful, generous thing to do.
oops, I left a comment on Kiva.org but not here, so please count my comment and thank you for your generosity.
Keep it up and I know many families, especially the children, will benefit from your generosity.
Microfinance is one of the most amazing things that I have come accross in a long time. About 6 months ago I found a site called Kiva.org after reading through the pages I was very impressed with the orginazation and the ability to help others all around the world. Since then I have been able to make loans sometimes only one a month sometimes more but I feel that every little bit counts.
Since the flooding in the philippines microfinance loans have been able to provide some relief to the devistated economy and to help build back the businesses and lives of the people over there. But there is still a great need over there. I hope that by writing this post it will inspire others to check out orginizations like Kiva and start helping one small loan at a time.
Hoping for a better future.
Andrew
This is a noble gesture.
Wonderful!
Keep up the great work. Recent floods in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have affected very many people. i work for RangDe that raises funds for microfinance organizations and many of our borrowers in Mantralayam have been hit. Perhaps we can raise funds for them as well…?
YOU ARE VERY GENEROUS =)
Your generosity is inspiring. Thank you! Kiva team, Calgary, Canada
Thank you for this.
-Lacey
Louisville, Kentucky
Thank you very much for your generosity. Whilst I have no Kiva loans in the affected area I will keep an eye for new loans in the future. These folk need all our support at this time.
Phil – Team Australia
I wish you the best of luck in this charitable endeavor. And to the survivors of the floods in the Philippines.
The Envoy, ambassador to the Internet.
Best of luck with your donation challenge!
Thank you for your generous offer.
I just love this idea! Thank you very much.
Greetings from Berlin, Germany.
Thank you! Love your heart mate.
You are a bright spot in these times!! Awesome job!! You may inspired many people to do better!
Hi, can’t resist to contribute 5$! Good idea and I hope you are not broken.
heard about this on kiva, microfinancing for everyone
good luck
Hope everything will be alright there.
2nd try…I applaud your efforts. I’ve joined your Kiva Lending Team and I edited the loan for one of your borrowers. I’ll match your $5 with a loan to the Philippines next cycle.
Laurie, Volunteer Kiva Editor
Thank you for you efforts & generosity!
Great work you are doing here, we need more people with great ideas like you!
Thanks for relating the individual struggles behind such a huge tragedy.
This is what the internet community is about in the highest and best form! With my Asian students, we’ve been atune to the typhoons and rolling tsunamis in the Pacific.
Thank you! Greetings from Switerland
Peter thank you and to everyone that is contributing what they can to those hit hard in the Philippines.
It may be but a Dream at this time, but it is a wonderful idea and I am confident it will come to fruition- “helping entrepreneurs restart when they are pushed over the edge” We are off to a good start.
Great idea! Keep it going!
hey, this is a great idea. not only we can help the people in the philippines, it also helps spread the word about kiva… because of course right now the philippines are in an urgent need, but I hope that the new lnders that joined will keep their money in and help our more people in the philippines and all around the world where a little help is needed
Frank, from Switzerland, on Kiva since about a year.
thank you for doing this! good luck!
Noble. Best wishes to both the philanthropist and the people who benefit from this.
You’re doing a great thing! I love Kiva too, it’s an amazing project.
You’re doing a great thing. I’m going to find a Philippines project on Kiva and support it now.
DOing this for Mary Riedel
What a great idea! I love it!
Wonderful!
What an inspiration you are to us! Blessings and peace,
Ellen
May God bless you more!
The world needs more people like this! From the wonderful team Kiva-Team Calgary, I wish you much success.
Thanks for this generous and helpful offer. Kiva is a great way to give to others.
I salute KIVA for their effort to help the people in the Philippines affected by typhoons Ketsana and Parma.
What made the flood worse are the deliberate illegal logging activities in the north, tambak na basura, and so on..but this time is not the right moment to blame who’s who…
However, this should be an aye-opener to everyone..not just to the people in Luzon but to everyone.
Thanks to the people who still care to help…God bless Pilipinas!
God bless and have faith.
Thank you, great thing!!
What a brilliant idea!
We recently held an event in the Philippines to raise awareness of climate change – happened to be on the same day the typhoon struck which gave the video a very poignant message: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=is90nlVRxj0
Aussie talk: You’re a real champion! Thanks mate
Pilipino talk: Ang galing-galing mo talaga! Maraming salamat pare
You’re Filipino-Australian friend in Bangladesh,
Matthew
This is indeed a very noble initiative. I am also an employee of a microfinance institution in the Philippines, that is, ASKI, which is also being supported by Kiva. We, at ASKI, are very grateful to those who are behind this great deed which is what our fellowmen really need during this time. Typhoons Ketsana and Parma have also left damage to the lives of our clients and staff. Immediately following the destruction made by these two weather disturbances, the ASKIans (refers to ASKI employees and clients) joined hands to reach out to the victims. Through the help of other organizations and individuals who have kind hearts (like you), ASKI was able to provide relief goods, clothes, and mats to the typhoon victims – ASKIans or not. These have eased their sufferings but only for a while. ASKI believes that its clients must be given not only momentary relief but a permanent “way out” from their torment. Indeed, what they need is a new beginning after the storms. They must regain what they lost, not only their houses, livelihoods but most importantly their hopes.
Just watching the aftermath of the typhoons through the television or internet made us cry. But it is even more heartbreaking to personally witness or hear the devastation experienced by our clients and these are some of their stories:
(1) “It was raining outside while we were resting in our house. Then suddenly the water entered our house so quick that made us so shocked. My children immediately went to a higher place while my husband tried to save some of our belongings. Unfortunately he saved nothing. We had to escape as fast as we can because the water is rapidly entering the house. For two days, we stayed on the roof of our neighbor’s house. We did not eat nor drink anything. We were so frightened of the danger that we might encounter. I saw how everyone held on to something which was the only thing left to us – faith and prayers. I saw them crying while praying for safety and food. On the third day, the water subsided and we were able to return to our houses. But I felt my heart stopped when I saw how devastated my house is! But this experience has really taught us a lot. It brought our family closer. We learned that we must always be ready. Most of all, we realized the importance of prayers and trusting God. We also realized that we have saved are the most important – our lives and our faith.”
(2)”My husband and I were about to sleep when all of a sudden the huge water entered our house. Instantly, I felt we would drown and die. We tried to save ourselves and went to a safer place. We felt it was the end of our lives but the Lord guided and saved us. Our house had been totally ruined and only the clothes which we were wearing at that time were left to us. During the next day, our place was still covered with water. We were so hungry and worst – we had nothing to eat. But what really frightened me was when I saw the condition of my husband who, at that moment, found it hard to breath. I did not know what to do then. I wanted to bring him to the hospital but the road is not passable. I really felt the worst feeling that someone could ever have – helplessness in such a life and death situation. I witnessed how my husband fought for his life. He tried so hard to stay with us but he was not able to do so. At ten o’clock in the evening he died. I was so shocked, in denial and in severe emotional pain. I could not do anything but to cry hard and pray. I constantly blame myself for being unable to save my husband. I don’t how to start my life all over again without him…At the moment, I am still trying my best to move on with my life. The lessons I learned will remain in my heart forever and will never allow that to happen to us again. All I want now is to share this experience to others so that preparedness, taking care of what we have, and contentment will be inculcated in everyone. It may be hard to move on, but I should be strong for the sake of my children.”
Personally, I would like to add something to what our clients told us…let us respect Mother Nature. There are a lot of things we can contribute in its preservation. God created every good thing for us, let us not destroy it.
Thank you very much for doing this kind deed to our fellowmen!
Thank you very much. This is great!