Curious about KIVA and socially responsible investing? (Established in January 2008)
The RE children are collecting small contributions of less than $5 and using them to invest through KIVA. Are they investing to make money? No, they are simply pooling dollars, and supporting individuals.
Who are they lending to? Individuals who have applied for loans through an organization called KIVA.
How does it work? KIVA helps arrange micro-loans that “sponsor a business and help individuals make great strides toward economic independence”.
What is the goal? To demonstrate how each of us can make a difference!
You may visit our link on the KIVA website and meet the first recipient of RE contributions. As you read about Maria, you will see that our RE kids are truly supporting the seventh principle: caring for “the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part”. First of all the RE kids simply gave $25 to support someone in need whom they will never meet. Secondly, since they have chosen someone who is reselling clothing, the RE kids are promoting the reusing of goods, and helping others to care for our planet! Way to go RE!!
For more info about the individual recipient of RE’s contribution, see:
Kiva Loan- Lopez
Kiva Loan #1
You will see that our RE kids are helping one woman to successfully support herself and her family. When she is able to repay her loan our kids will reinvest their dollars in a second individual, and then a third…. And so our contributions to KIVA will just keep on giving!! You may wonder how likely it is that we will receive our money back. Over 98 percent of KIVA loans are paid and over 80 percent of contributors decide to “reloan”.
One last fun fact about KIVA… it is a Swahili word meaning 'agreement' or 'unity’.
On July 29, 2008, Maria Esther Guerrero López had repaid her entire loan.
RE Kiva Update (October 2008)
Having recently been paid back, in full, their original investment of $25 to Maria Esther Guerrero López of Tampico Tamaulipas Mexico the decision was made by the RE group of children to re-invest. Careful thought and deliberation was given by each of our students and they unanimously chose to loan their money to Guadalupe Contreras Tovias of Villa de García N.L. Mexico for his General Store. It was truly inspiring to see each of the children take their turn and discuss the criteria’s that were important to them. Geographic location, animal kindness and length of loan (shorter loans can be re-invested sooner) were all considered in the decision process, but ultimately Guadalupe’s “…wishes to provide his children with an education so that they can better themselves, get a good job, and have a better quality of life” Seemed to unite them all. Guadalupe’s total micro-loan is for $325 and is scheduled for full repayment in four months; investment partners include individuals from five other States, Portugal, Ireland, Switzerland, Finland and Canada.
Kiva Loan #2
Kiva Loan, Tovias
RE Kiva Update (June 2009)
On March 16, 2009, Guadalupe Contreras Tovias had repaid his entire loan.
With two loans repaid the UU kids are ready to reinvest there original $25. Stay tuned to see whom they will support next.
Loans in the United States
KIVA has expanded its recipients to include citizens of the United States. So, this time we may find that our kids want to make a loan to someone closer to home.
For more information visit the lenders page UU Kids: past and current loans KIVA
To learn more about the organization visit KIVA
GUEST AT YOUR TABLE (November through December of each year)
“Give thanks by giving back”…
On the Sunday before Thanksgiving, many UU communities nationwide celebrate an important UU Service Committee (UUSC) tradition by initiating the annual Guest At Your Table (GAYT) program. Traditionally Religious Education (RE) children receive a Guest at Your Table box which they place on their family's dining table. Then throughout the holiday season between Thanksgiving and Christmas they collect change for “the guest at their table”. Just after the New Year their change is collected and sent to the UUSC. The donations are then used throughout the world for healthy food and fresh water for those in need.
Through this program UU’s celebrate the worth and dignity of all people and learn how to put these values into action. The GAYT experience includes families sharing the UUSC Stories of Hope and learning together. This shared experience continues to build lasting connections to UU values for generations of UU youth.
For more information about the Guest At Your Table (GAYT) program see:
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
UU Service Committee
How Are We Doing with Guest at Your Table (GAYT)?
Winter 2008
This year our congregation raised $327.94! Thank you in for your continued support of the UUSC Guest At Your Table program.
Winter 2007
Our congregation collected $187.61 for the GAYT program! Thank you for supporting this worthy cause.
Winter 2006
Our congregation $275.00 for the GAYT program! How good it feels to fill our boxes with coins, while filling our tummies with the yummy food we generally take for granted.
TRICK-OR-TREAT FOR UNICEF (October of each year)
Bet you'll be surprised by how far a dollar can go today. Members and friends bring their loose change to church each October to find out! The children of RE Trick-Or-Treat for UNICEF during the UUSDBA hospitality hour, while collecting this loose change.
Through this program our RE children learn the importance of helping other children who are in need. They discover how UNICEF uses the monies collected for safe water, good nutrition, health care, and education. The lessons taught in RE prior to the collection help our children to appreciate the difference between wants & needs and to consider circumstances different from their own. This is another great opportunity for our RE students to become active global citizens!
How Are We Doing with TRICK-OR-TREAT for UNICEF?
Thanks to all who participate each year! Your contributions are appreciated as we work together to support this worthy cause.
October of 2008
The RE kids collected $227.22! Most of us were able to contribute in spite of a challenging economic climate! Way to go!!
October of 2007
The RE kids collected $203.66! The children were excited to know that their donations were used for high energy biscuits and fresh water, vaccines and immunizations, and warm blankets for those in need.
October of 2006
The RE kids collected $205.84! Trick-Or-Treat for UNICEF gives everyone a chance to learn about how UNICEF helps needy children around the world, while giving our youngsters a chance to parade around in costume.
Current Green Sanctuary Recycling Cans Project
(Started Spring 2007 and ongoing)
One way to help our planet and make some money at the same time is to recycle aluminum cans. So, we are asking that you bring your clean (and crushed if possible) aluminum cans to UU on Sunday mornings.
The RE children have provided recycling receptacles in the sanctuary. There you may recycle paper, plastic, and aluminum used while spending time at our UU Society. We also have large trash cans at the west end of the building to accommodate your larger donations from home.
The money earned from the aluminum recycling program supports the expenses for establishing and maintaining an organic garden for our RE children. Thanks to Terri and the Green Team for their help with the garden and to all of you for your recycling contributions!
