time for watermelons!

I've been aware for a while that I've had some funds to re-lend at Kiva.

Usually I find a suitable  recipient as a birthday gift for myself, too.

However, I finally jumped at all that tonight!

That's because Kiva will grant me another $20 for making a $25 loan.

Buy one, get one means I get to help two people's dreams come true!

 

I chose Siri, the member of the Benkadi group there in the middle.

Yes, she's the one holding the huge bowl of peanuts!

She's 50 years old, and has been farming for over 30 years.

I wouldn't say that Mama was a farmer, but she certainly enjoyed tending to her gardens for as long as I can recall.

I think that perhaps she guided by eye to this loan.

(smile!)

There are two reasons that I really liked it, though.

"Peanuts! Watermelons! Summertime foods that are favorites!"

That's the rationale I left in the comments section of her page.

And the other reason this loan makes me smile?

 

The country looks like a party dress that's been left on the floor!

Mali is a landlocked country in northwest Africa, with some lush green areas in the bodice, but also lots of desert there in the skirt portion.

I think that would be a fun dress for dancing!

What a sight it would be, twirling around to the music!

"Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me...!"

(smile!)

still counts as a bday68 gift to me...

I've been a bit busy, so this annual part of my birthday ritual was delayed.

Today, Kiva sent me an email that I still had money available to lend.

No time like the present to gift someone with support!

I chose Rasha, an educator in Israel who is helping her students fight those who bully others.

Here's the message I sent to the other Nerdfighters on my team.

 

As I told them, I once had my office as a Safe Space for any and all who needed a listening ear and an open mind.

That was during my time as a full-time assistant professor in the Chemistry Department at Armstrong Atlantic State University, and beyond when I was back to adjunct status, before the merger deleted my position entirely.

I've been retired since May of 2018, but I still recall how grateful students were to have a safe, non-bullying, environment that welcomed and supported them so they could concentrate on their studies.

Rasha has requested a rather large loan, which is why I sent the message to the other nerds like me.

I also posted a message on her loan page.

"As a retired professor whose office once provided safe haven to all students, I know the importance of this work. Wishing her much more success!"

I'm glad that she has the support of several schools who recognize the importance of her work.

She has a month to raise the funds she needs to expand her program.

Anyone can help, using this link.

Thanks!

bday gift to my sisters

"Dearest, you have no sisters, only brothers."

That's true for the family I was born into. However, I am also part of a family that I have chosen at Asbury Memorial Church. We call ourselves Sisters-In-Faith and those are the ones to which I refer in the post title.

"Oh, yes, I'm familiar with them. You've been hanging out with them for several months now, haven't you?"

That I have! And I had so looked forward to the luncheon this month with them! Linda had arranged for us to meet downtown at The Pirate's House for their midday feast. That would be followed up with a trolley tour. All we needed were 40 people who would pony up $50 each. I made sure to pay my money in March! That would be part of my bday68 gift to myself, right? Absolutely!!!

"I remember how excited you were about it. You were going in memory of those times years ago when you and Mama would 'play tourist' when you came home on leave. Those were such good times!"

They were, and I had looked forward to making memories with these sisters. Then I ended up at the hospital and could not get out in time. That was so frustrating that I cried several times.

"I know." (gently pats hand)

Thanks. Anyway, Linda has said she would try to get the money back for me, but I doubt she will be allowed to do so. Therefore, I have made a decision. After all, I had ponied up the funds in order to help us book the luncheon and tour. That is to say, I had spent that money to help us ALL to have that special occasion. So, I'm going to count it as a donation to this new group that I think of as family, as sisters. Happy birthday, my dears, from me to you.

"What a lovely sentiment! Good for you!"

Thanks. (smile!)

ciao, bella!!!

Toward the end of last year, I deleted my Kickstarter account.

It had been years since I'd spent any time on that site, so I ditched it.

Today, I opened a new account on Kickstarter... to help JinHi.

She has written an autobiographical play about her life with cancer, and the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, has accepted it at that prestigious event.

Wow.

She has an entourage who will travel with her: stage manager, producers, light tech, sound tech, prop master, director, wardrobe mistress, and all the others who help bring this creation to life on stage.

This won't be the first time I've helped to send a production across the Atlantic Ocean, but that time was well over a decade ago.

Here's the difference: I know JinHi Soucy Rand.

I've supported fundraisers for her benefit before.

The first time was for the very first 24-Hour Play Festival here in Savannah, a fundraiser promoted by her one-and-only brother, Chris Soucy.

I treated that as a birthday gift to myself, as it was in May (of 2011).

The next time was also promoted by her brother and was that same summer, as a way to bring new folks to the fledgling Muse Arts Warehouse performance space that JinHi created for this seaport and its artist community.

The third time was in 2015 and was also to raise funds for that space, with artists contributing their creations as repayment for the lives JinHi had enriched.

The fourth time was two years later, with her brother putting on a one-man show titled "Fears My Sister Taught Me". 

Now, it's all about JinHi.

The kickstarter campaign, started by Erin Muller, has a big ask of $15,000.

Erin created a special funding opportunity just for me: Pen Pals Plus.

That's because I wanted to get a postcard from Scotland, but also wanted a ticket to the premiere of the show here in Savannah next month.

Like magic, Erin made that opportunity happen!

So far, I am the first to make that choice.

Sure, a postcard for $77 sounds a bit steep... but it's for my bday68... and it's doing the traveling for me, to benefit my friend.

That's worth every penny. 

happy bday58 to paul

Amazingly, I have the funds already for my third loan in less than a month.

Like the first of those three, this is also to celebrate a birthday, though this is for a man who is like a brother to me, rather than actual blood.

Like that first loan, too, this is for the 20th anniversary of an 18th birthday. 

Paul has been part of my life since we met in grad school in Tallahassee.

The 40th anniversary of his 18th birthday was on the 14th, so this gift is, admittedly, just a little belated.

That's because I was waiting to find a worthy loan, using the credit Kiva.org gave me after I made the second of the three loans I've made in less than a month.

That loan had been for the 20th anniversary of that charitable organization.

That's a lot of 20th anniversary dates being celebrated!

This third loan has been to Olusheno, a group in Namibia, and this is their second loan from Kiva.

Here's what the site said about them and this $100,000 ask.

"In partnership with d.light design, Olusheno... aims to bridge the affordability gap by providing high-quality solar light to thousands of “off-grid” families on affordable installments. Olusheno has already provided sustainable lighting to over 31,500 households across the country and is working to fulfill the government’s dream of bringing reliable electricity to its one million off-grid citizens by 2030.
This new loan will be used as working capital for Olusheno to purchase 5,000 solar home systems that will... help thousands of people light up their lives for the first time!"

I love that the description included that exclamation point!

(smile!)

The real attraction for me, though, was the photo of the woman standing in the doorway of her lit home, with the night darkness all around.
That spoke to me.

So I, in turn, left the above comment to encourage others to help.

I'm so glad that 21 other Nerdfighters have already added their support.

Paul, happy birthday, you're a man who lights up his community.

(smile!)

happy bday58 to dood

Happy birthday to my youngest brother!!!

He is celebrating the 40th anniversary of his 18th birthday today.

I actually procured his gift a few days ago.

Kiva.org provided the perfect present: a loan to a man trying, like him, to make a better life for his family and community.

Kaboré of Cote D'Ivoire is the recipient of this $25 microloan from me as I celebrate my brother's birth.

Kaboré lives in the Daloa region of that African nation.

His $3475 loan through Kiva is for a solar energy kit, including a refrigerator, for his home.

In particular, he chose the solar project to provide electricity on cloudy days.
I totally agree with that rationale!

I'm sure his family will appreciate having electricity every night, too.

They will also appreciate being able to have cool drinks from the fridge, as well as being able to keep food fresh longer.

Oh, the things we take for granted in the United States!

for my bday67 loan, i choose...

... this one!

The funds will go to support Nilcer Danelia, a mother of three, in Honduras.

Why her, out of the many with loans to be funded on Kiva?

That's the comment I left on her page.

A stationery shop - oh, the hours and hours I have spent in such places over my life, carefully selecting the perfect paper for missives to family and friends!

That is the message I sent out for my fellow Nerdfighters.

I do hope some of them will join me in this birthday quest! 

As I told them, I know of no other loans that have her mission.

Let's help make that dream a reality!!!

may the 4th be with ...community service

This was definitely something different for me.

I'd grabbed a few of the flyers about "Congregations In Service" after the SING concert, intending to read them and possibly attend.

I realized quickly, though, that the activity to be held at Asbury Memorial Church would not be the one for me.

I'm retired and don't do early mornings!

However, the one at Baha'i Unity Center wasn't to start until noon30 - I could most def be there for that!

So, there is where I was today, for the 33rd community service event they have held since the project first began in 2004.

I know, the math sounds wonky, but it isn't.

Baha'i usually holds two per year, in spring and fall, but not for the first few years and not during the pandemic.

I'm glad I was there as part of my bday67 celebration.

Betty taught me how to make no-sew blankets, and I did so in the company of several folks older than myself: Betty; Ray, the Vietman veteran; Connie, the 81-yo lover of butterfly pins; Dee, of India; and two others across the table from me.

That was actually very nice to be with older people.

I also loved that the blankets were were making would be given to children.

These were smaller blankets that usual, and they were brightly colored or had fun designs on the soft fabric, like these hedgehogs that I thought were opossums.

I only got two blankets completed, but that's two more than there would have been.

Right place, right time.

i thank You, God.

flowers for two brothers, at the church

When I looked at the flower calendar at the start of the year, a date leapt out.

Ronnie's birthday was open for someone to pledge sanctuary flowers. 

I immediately placed my name on that line!

Today, I wrote the check to Asbury Memorial Church to pay for those flowers.

I know the fee won't come due for a couple of months, but I wanted to go ahead and pay off that pledge now, while I had money available.

Seventy dollars - that's a fine gift to honor one brother as he turns 65... and to honor the memory of another who would have been 63.

i thank You, God.

in memory of mother pat's bday84

Dear Faustina,
 

I’m so grateful for your generous contribution of 4,000 points. 

It’s friends like you who make it possible for AARP Foundation to create and advance effective solutions that aim to help older adults secure the essentials they need to thrive.
Thank you for choosing to use your AARP Rewards points to help those in need. 

 

We truly value your support.
 

Warm Regards,
Lisa Marsh Ryerson
President, AARP Foundation

 

---------------

This is in memory of Mother Pat, who would have been 84 today.

This is also in honor of her best friend, Chris Adams, who turned 84 today.

That makes both of them contemporaries of Ringo Starr, who is also that age.

Very nice.

in honor of Dood

My youngest brother's 57th birthday is today, so I've honored him with two Kiva loans!

He's off on a cruise and I'm hoping he will travel more, perhaps even crossing the oceans to other continents, such as Asia and Africa.

How did I determine which loans to support this time?

 

Both of these are matched by Deloitte, doubling the impact of my funds.

The first loan is to Nusrat of Pakistan.

Tony has become closer to his daughter these past few months.

Nusrat is 38 years old, which Hope will be in two years.

This young woman is raising lambs and calves to help her family.

The second loan is to Mpower Ventures in Cameroon.

They have a very ambitious project: supply solar power to 2000 homes.

The good news is they have experience, as this is not their first Kiva loan.

They have already successfully empowered (get the pun?) 800 homes.

I certainly wish both of these loans much success in their ventures!

Happy birthday, dear brother!

georgia on my mind... and india, too!

Thanks to the Nerdfighter Challenge that I stumbled upon at Kiva, I've added two more countries to my list!

Called the Mid-Year Loanathon, here's what our team captain had to say:

"If we lend $220K by June 15 we'll win a $1,000 prize. PLUS if we win there will be a fun contest with a $500 individual prize for the winning team member! All loans count, but you can filter below for team picks to see some loans we’ve vetted for you!"

 

Major coolness!!!

After filtering out those countries I've already loaned to, I settled on these two loans.

 

Davit of Georgia, a country with a coastline much like the one for my US state of Georgia, was an immediate hit with me!

"Davit is a 21-year-old determined student charting his course in marine navigation at the university. With a love for the sea and a passion for precision in navigation, he is committed to mastering the skills required to safely navigate ships across the world's oceans. However, the financial challenges of pursuing this specialized field weigh heavily on him, prompting Davit to seek a student loan to fund his education. He envisions himself as a future captain, guiding vessels through challenging waters and contributing to safe and efficient maritime transportation.
This loan is special because it allows low-income students to pursue education and find jobs before repaying. " 

Marine science!!!

Low-income student!!!

In Georgia!!!

Those are all descriptors that could have been applied to me at his age!

(smile!)

The loan for the Diaspora Co. in India took a little longer to attract me.

In fact, their ask of $100,000 was a big drawback, until I read more.

"Diaspora Co. is a woman-of-color-owned business dedicated to working with South Asia’s best regenerative family farms. Diaspora works with 140+ farm partners and 1500+ farm workers across 10 states in India & Sri Lanka to source their collection of 30+ single-origin spices and 6 house blends that are sold to their primary market in the US. Diaspora sets thriving wages with its farm partners (an average of 3 to 5x higher than commodity prices) that ensure smallholder partners and their workers are adequately compensated for their labor.
Kiva’s loan is critical for Diaspora ahead of their planting and harvesting seasons as they look to invest in seeds, irrigation, and farmworker help. It enables the company to make pre-harvest advances for the majority of Diaspora’s supply chain, allowing farmers to produce without taking on high-interest predatory loans. Lending to Diaspora supports improved, sustainable livelihoods and climate-smart agriculture practices. This is Diaspora’s second loan through the Kiva Social Enterprise program."

Here's the comment I left to encourage others to lend to them.

"This one loan will help HUNDREDS improve not only their livelihoods, but their lives and the lives of others in their community. Win, win!"

Right now, they've acquired about a third of the needed funds to make that happen.

 

I'm glad I had the repaid funds from former loans to allow me to celebrate my birthday by helping others.

 

If, dear reader, you feel inclined to help them, just click the links for the two loans.

Many thanks!

honoring my stepmom on bday75

Happy 75th birthday, Bonnie!

 

As I mentioned a couple of days ago, I decided to gift you by giving money to someone else.

 

Yeah, maybe that doesn't sound like a good present, but I know you will be pleased.

 

This is the fellow I chose especially for you.

 

His name is Munkhbat, he's 49 years old, and Kiva describes him as "modest and hard-working".

 

Believe it or not, he's a cobbler.

 

No, not like peach or blackberry! LOL!

 

The man makes shoes.

 

Right?!

 

In this day and age, there are still people out there who craft shoes by hand.

 

He must do quality work, as he sells five pairs of shoes every day from his home in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

 

Pretty amazing!

 

But you know what I like most about this?

 

His favorite part of his business is seeing people wearing his shoes.

 

Very nice.

 

So, to help him buy more materials to make more shoes, I gave him your birthday money.

 

That $25 will go a long way over there!

 

Maybe one day he'll be able to sell his shoes on the internet; one never knows.

 

So, happy birthday to you, dear friend and stepmom!

 

(smile!)

bday65 to celebrate at gala20!

While I was at the venue tonight, I thought: "Why not?"

So I bought the ticket for the future event, knowing it was a good deal more than I typically spend on one-night deals.

So why did I do it?

 

First, I was at the Savannah Children's Theatre to see their latest musical - featuring a story I was raised with - for the second time.

They just keep getting better, giving more every year.

This is their fifth production this year - THIS YEAR! - with more on the near horizon.

 

Second, I like the idea of going to a gala... I do!

I recall having an in-depth conversation with Deborah Ray and perhaps K.T. Aull, and who knows who else, about the differences between a gala, a fete, a party, and a soiree.

They actually have better recollections of my descriptions than I do!

But here's the main thing about a gala: cocktail attire is required.

Cocktail dresses for the women, cocktail jackets for the men.

I have a new black dress that I've not ever worn and this sounds like the perfect occasion for me to get dolled up and go out for the evening...

and a Saturday evening at that!

Third, I need a worthy event for my bday65 gift to me.

At a cost of $75 per ticket, this certainly qualifies.

It also benefits a cause I believe in, so that makes it perfect.

Now, to wait for the day...

and try to decide later whether to bid at the silent auction there.

(smile!)

birthday money to foster mom elsewhere

I knew I had money waiting at Kiva... but I didn't realize how many of those I've loaned to have fully paid off their loans.

My thanks to the Rosa Mistica group in Paraguay - brava!

They paid off in less than a year.

My thanks to Fatima Marisela in El Salvador - brava!

She is 100% paid in full in less than a year, too.

My thanks to Cucu Kurniasih in Indonesia - brava!

She received birthday money from me last year, and she is paid in full.

 

All together, they have returned to me the funds to support Jully in Uganda.

She is a refugee mother to six children, farming millet, sorghum, maize, and beans to support them and help provide them with an education.

Now, she wants to branch out -

wait for it -

by planting trees.

(smile!)

(Yes, that's a little pun humor, from me to you!)

 

One of the reasons I chose her and her loan is because there was an anonymous donor -

going by "the moonshot factory" -

who was doubling all monies for her loan.

Most excellent!

In fact, she is completely funded and good to go.

(smile!)

 

i thank You, God, for leading me to this opportunity to help another!

in honor of Mama for her bday85

Kiva has been after me for almost a month to re-lend, re-lend!

(smile)

My intention had been to do so last Saturday.

That would have been Mama's 85th birthday, had she not stopped aging at 63.

So, I've been celebrating her birthday without her for the past 22 years.

(sigh)

Today, I finally relented and went in search of someone she would have supported.

I found Anila almost instantly.

It was almost as if I had been taken by the hand and led straight to her.

Even better, she is the ONLY borrower on Kiva with her name.

Seriously.

The name is what first drew me to her, but it was her face and style that made me stay.

She looked so much like my mother had when I was a teen.

 

After making the loan, I alerted my fellow Nerdfighters to join me in supporting her.

This is the very first time I've ever done that.

I've been a member of that team since 2012.

Here, I make the same plea as I did on Kiva to my teammates.

 

"Faustina Dec 14, 2022 - 7:14 pm PST
Joined Aug 22, 2012
Anila of Albania is trying to open a fruit and vegetable stand to help support her family. 

She caught my eye for two reasons.

1) She bears a strong resemblance to my Mother, who died in 2001

2) She is a cook with healthy products.
I hope you will join me in supporting her goal.
www.kiva.org/lend/2476174
Thanks!"

 

For those who might want to let Kiva know that I was the one who made the referral, please use the link below.

 

Kiva referral link

 

I wish her much success in establishing her fruit and vegetable stand to help support her two children.

birthday money off to vanuatu and indonesia

I had checked into kiva.org to find an entrepreneur to help finance.

Specifically, I wanted to add another country, and perhaps even another type of business, to my portfolio with the Nerdfighters.

(I do so enjoy fighting the dark side in the world!)

I ended up finding two to help, through a financing glitch.

You see, by the time my loan was processed by Kiva for the first person, that loan had already been fully funded... so they only allowed me to send $15 instead of the usual $25.

Odd, that had never happened before!

As I had $40 in credit, built up by the repayments of several to whom I'd lent money, then I couldn't resist going for a second new loan.

I guess that works in favor of me, the two businesses, and kiva.

(smile!)

Sylvette was the first one I had selected.

Mostly it was due to her name, which was similar to Mama's.

Partly, though, it was also because of her location (Vanuatu, a new country for me) and her type of business (rental homes, a new business type for me).

She's 59 years old and this is her fifth loan -

her fifth! - and she has been industrious about paying off the previous four.

Now, she's ready to add another rental, so she's applied for this new loan.

What an industrious woman!

I know her two children are very proud of her, and I know her husband is, too.

I had tried to provide her $25, but, like I said, her loan was fully funded by the time my bid to help was processed.

 

That meant I still had funds to help Cucu.

Get this: she's of a similar age to Sylvette!

Actually, they're both of a similar age to me, aren't they?

There is one major difference, though.

Cucu Kurniasih is a 57 year old widow, making her the sole support for her household.

Like Sylvette, the money she earns from her laundry business in Indonesia will be used to support her children and their education.

Hey, I'm always in favor of more knowledge!

I realize that I've supported laundries before, but... 

I've not sent funds for one in Indonesia yet.

Well, not until today!

What a blessing to be able to help both mothers as they strive for a better tomorrow for their children!

What a wonderful bday64 gift for me!

(smile!)

in need of patience

In need of a balm for my aching soul, with a dancing heart that has lost its ability to keep a steady rhythm, tonight I wandered into Kiva... and found Patience.

Right place, right time.

How was I assured that my travel there was no accident?

There was actually money in my account, ready to be lent again.

Plus, there was the name of the country, hinting at freedom from care.

And, the woman sells fruits and vegetables - to help keep others healthy.

Definitely right place, right time!

i thank You, God.

Here is the story, from Patience herself, via a translator:

"Meet 40 years old Patience, from Liberia, seller of fruits and vegetables.

She is a widow with 4 children, they are schooling and live at home.

She is a hardworking business woman who sells. She sells palm nuts, potatoes, cassava, plantain, garie and other items. Her mother taught her how to sell and she started these businesses with her own savings.

She uses car to transport supplies to her business site. She sells Monday through Saturday, from 7:30 am up to 6:30 pm. She faces no problems with her business.

She requires for a loan through BRAC Liberia and Kiva Field Partner. The loan will be used to buy more palm nuts, potatoes, cassava, plantain, garie and other items to sell in order to further build her business and increase her income.

In the future, She wants to educate her children.

She says thanks to all lenders around the world."

My thanks to her for helping to soothe my heart, as well as bringing me fond thoughts of my first niece, just a year younger than Patience.

I hope her loan will be successful and her children grow to be educated leaders like her.

making my first niece 1 of 103

You see, she just had her 39th birthday last Tuesday.

Today, I bestowed upon her two of my favorite kickstarter rewards.

Both are musicals... and she and I love those!

We 'inherited' the love of that genre from my Mother, her Grammy.

Gifting these two musicals to Christina Ann can actually be considered a gift not only from me, but also from Mama, as well as my stepdad.

That's because they were the source of the 'free money' that allowed me to become Fliss of Kickstarter, after all.

(smile!)

So, just what does that title mean?

That refers to me being 1 of 103 backers who donated $150 to Stuart Murdoch's quest to turn his album concept into a musical film, way back in 2012.

For my belief in, and support of, his dream, I have received a digital postcard that was so gorgeous that I printed it out and framed it;  my name listed on their website with all who supported the project; a lovely t-shirt and two beautiful pins; a preview of the movie at a small cinema, in the company of my blue-sky cousin Penny and my physicist bfe; and, after the festival run was through and she had won awards and viewers' hearts, my very own copy of the movie on dvd.

Now, as of two hours ago, the dvd belongs to my dearly loved first niece.

Forever.

What's the movie all about?

The girl on the left is Eve, a talented young woman who lands in trouble when she moves to a new place and stops eating, among other things.

At a concert on a day away from the institute she meets James, a musician as well.

Then she is introduced to Cassie, a quirky and joyful person taking music lessons from James.

Next thing you know, the trio has formed a band, and all is working out well, until Eve takes a fancy to a a fellow to stuck on himself to treat her right.

That leads to a backslide on her part, but James and Cassie are right by her side, supporting her musical talents and goals.

When the summer ends, Eve is going off to study music at an academy, James is following his own path, and Cassie... is her same delightful self.

It's such a good film, and I do so love the pop tunes throughout, and I am sure my niece will, too!

(smile!)

So, what was the other musical?

Well, as well as being a long-time favorite of mine - like, for a dozen years now - it's a short, clocking in at just under 20 minutes.

Honestly, I think that may be one of the things my niece loves most about it.

She's never owned a short film before!

And she'll be 1 of 7  to possess an autographed copy of this one.

That's right, Adam Hall signed it!!!

That makes this video even more special, as if "Sudden Death!" wasn't already priceless to me.

Now, Christina will get to watch the singing and dancing, the formation of the 'death blossom' (shown in the photo and caused when the folks afflicted by the 'musical theatre disease' suddenly collapse and die), and the unfolding romance between two of the scientists... and she'll get to do so over and over and over!

It's a short!

Every time she needs a break, she can pop it in and watch!

I sure hope she'll invite me over for one of those viewings!

(smile!)

something to believe in

That sounds like a song lyric, doesn't it?

Well, it should, as the mental jukebox in my brain is always in search of the next record to put onto the turntable.

This time, the blog's title is a song from Poison.

And the reason it popped into play?

Sumphun of Thailand.

That's right: all it took was one look at her name.

And just why had I even been on Kiva.org today?

Three reasons: 

1) I wanted to give a loan to mark would would have been Mama's upcoming 84th birthday; 2) I knew I had enough repaid funds from previous loans to do so; 

3) Tripadvisor.com was having a special "make a loan, make a second loan for free" deal.

That's why I'd gone to the lending site today instead of tomorrow.

 

The Thai weaver was the second recipient of the two borrowers chosen today.

I had seen her name and knew without further searching that she was the one for me.

The song had simply cinched the deal.

The first loan recipient took me almost an hour to find.

Then I noticed there were two women, both named "Christina", each looking for a loan.

As they had the same name as my first niece and Mama's first grandchild, I knew one of them were to receive a loan from me... 

but which?

The pink dress of the woman in the Solomon Islands running the general store won out; her loan had the shorter amount of time remaining for it to be funded.

How fortuitous that I had checked my email and found the Tripadvisor missive!

How fortuitous that enough repayments had been made into my nerdfighter account to encourage me to help a new borrower reach their dream!

How fortuitous that I've now made loans to countries new to my portfolio!

(smile!)

Happy birthday, Mama.

I'm glad we could start the celebration early.