Understanding Stories and Microfinance

The speaker discusses the importance of stories in shaping perceptions, particularly about poverty. Initially influenced by negative narratives, the speaker's perspective shifts after hearing Dr. Muhammad Yunus speak about microfinance. Inspired, the speaker co-founds Kiva, a platform that facilitates microloans to entrepreneurs, changing the narrative around poverty. The talk emphasizes the power of community support and entrepreneurship, encouraging a shift from traditional donor-beneficiary relationships to partnerships based on respect and hope.

What was the speaker's initial reaction to learning about poverty as a child?

• Fear of the poor

• Confusion and frustration

• Excitement to help

• Indifference

What emotional response did the speaker have towards the poor as a child?

• Indifference and apathy

• Joy and excitement

• Fear and negativity

• Empathy and understanding

How did Dr. Muhammad Yunus's talk change the speaker's perspective?

• It emphasized the permanence of poverty

• It discouraged helping the poor

• It introduced the concept of microfinance

• It reinforced the idea of charity

What did the speaker learn from entrepreneurs in East Africa?

• They were not interested in business

• They wanted to move to urban areas

• They needed control over their own lives

• They preferred donations over loans

What did the speaker find surprising about the entrepreneurs in East Africa?

• They were not entrepreneurial

• They did not ask for donations

• They were uninterested in loans

• They wanted to move to the city

What is the primary focus of Kiva according to the speaker?

• Building schools

• Providing large loans

• Retelling the story of the poor

• Creating a charity fund

How did the speaker describe the impact of Kiva's microloans?

• They helped change lives and businesses

• They were only beneficial in urban areas

• They were primarily used for education

• They had no significant impact

What does the speaker hope to achieve with Kiva?

• To eliminate the need for storytelling

• To focus solely on large-scale projects

• To create a clear divide between rich and poor

• To blur the lines between traditional categories of wealth

What is the main goal of Profounder?

• To provide grants to businesses

• To facilitate donations

• To enable investments from friends and family

• To offer free business advice

What is a key feature of Profounder?

• It allows for dynamic investment returns

• It offers non-repayable grants

• It focuses on large corporations

• It provides free business courses