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Our story
Empowering i-Kiribati women towards self relience
Founded in 2019 by friends and classmates Andrea Gooch, JD Borg, and Melody Jensen, Kindling Kiribati is a microfinance program in South Tarawa, Kiribati.
Quickly joined by Brent Thorn, Dave Hermann, and Ruth Cross, Kindling Kiribati launched a pilot program in the summer of 2019. Today, we seek to “Kindle” the flame of Kiribati by partnering with local organizations and providing insights and support to other international organizations working in Kiribati.
Our history
2019
Launched in-country intern program
300+ participants in our first business class
12 microloans issued in our pilot program
16 additional loan issues in the fall program
Hired two female employees for local operations
2022
240+ graduates from 10 communities in our classes in South Tarawa
176 loans distributed to small women-owned businesses
2,502 learning hours taught in our business classes
$10,000 AUD renewed grant awarded from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
2020
Disbursed $7,900 AUD in loans to 19 women
Provided 6 loans to repeat borrowers
$10,000 donation received from Richfield Rotary
Reassessed and provided flexibility through Covid-19 lockdowns
2023
Built a sanitation block at the Domestic Violence Center in Tarawa
2nd-highest loan year and provided loans to 109 new borrowers
$83,000 AUD raised through grants and crowdfunding
Collected loan repayments to full repayment recovery
2021
First grant received from People’s Republic of China Embassy of Kiribati
21 loans provided, 80% repayment rate, 291 average loan size distributed
1,000+ learning hours in our business development classes
Expanded teaching to communities across South Tarawa
2024
Our journey continues!