Tell us a bit about yourself.
I live and work in Sydney and have recently changed careers from Information Technology to genealogy. I've just finished my Diploma of Family Historical Studies at the Society of Australian Genealogists, where I volunteer on an increasingly regular basis.
What do lending and participating in this project mean to you?
I've been lending on Kiva since 2008, and have just made my 27th loan. It's gone from being a thrill whenever I get a repayment to being a normal part of my life. I think it's so important to help people help themselves; they are the ones who will succeed and help their families grow and thrive.
Did you choose particular borrowers because their occupations or situations have some significance in your family history or your own life?
When I started I lent only to women, usually in countries I had been to. Now they all seem equally deserving and I don't spend much time at all choosing borrowers. There is usually little connection to my own life, unless you count gender; the majority are still women.
Is there a borrower whose success story inspired you?
I am most partial to the single mothers who are feeding their families as best they can. I grew up in such a household.
Do you have a strategy for raising funds or saving for your $25 loans?
Not really. I relend when I get enough repaid, or almost enough, and then I kick in the difference. I have no idea how much money I have in the system. A recent Melbourne Cup win resulted in two more new loans!
Your Web site or blog?
http://caroleriley.id.au and http://heritagegenealogy.com.au.
What are your main family history interests?
My mother is Protestant Irish/Scottish and my father is a part-European Fijian, so my interests are many and varied!
- - - - - - - - -
Join Genealogists for Families. Together we can make a difference!
