Kiva conducts regular, ongoing monitoring of all Lending Partners, but only posts status updates here in response to relevant, major changes at the partner.

Partner Description:

Status Update - 11 July, 2017
Kiva and Village Infrastructure Angels (VIA) have agreed to end their partnership after 4 years and $9,250 in loans raised.  While VIA is no longer offering a loan program through Kiva, they continue to do great work in the field of renewable energy throughout the world and wish them success in their future endeavors.

Status Update - March 16, 2015
 
On March 13, 2015, Tropical Cyclone Pam hit the South Pacific islands of Vanuatu. It was one of the most powerful storms ever to make landfall, and left a path of destruction and devastation in its wake.
 
Kiva has reached out to Village Infrastructure Angels and we will update this page as soon as we hear any information on their status and the wellbeing of Kiva borrowers. Our thoughts are with our Lending Partner, borrowers and all the inhabitants of Vanuatu.    

Village Infrastructure is a for-profit social enterprise founded in the UK that brings together business angel investors and the poorest communities in developing countries. The organization makes solar energy affordable through energy loans of up to three years.
 
A unique lending approach:

Village Infrastructure loans on Kiva will be for citizens of the southern pacific island nation of Vanuatu. 
 
Micro-entrepreneurs will be selected and trained to fully understand the installation process, managing payments and basic maintenance. These entrepreneurs are usually already running other enterprises for the village such as a store, school, church or other civic organization, and are looking for a supplemental income stream. 


The organization installs solar stations for villages for up to 100 households, and the micro-entrepreneurs collect around USD $2-3 per week from each household for the use of the solar lamps and batteries. Thus for the same weekly price they would otherwise pay for kerosene, villagers can access clean and safe solar lighting and own this infrastructure in 1-3 years time.
 
The micro-entrepreneur retains 15% of the gross revenue collected.

Village Infrastructure 
 
Vanuatu

April 29, 2014

Village Infrastructure is a for-profit social enterprise founded in the UK that brings together business angel investors and the poorest communities in developing countries. The organization makes solar energy affordable through energy loans of up to three years.
 
A unique lending approach:

Village Infrastructure loans on Kiva will be for citizens of the southern pacific island nation of Vanuatu. 
 
Micro-entrepreneurs will be selected and trained to fully understand the installation process, managing payments and basic maintenance. These entrepreneurs are usually already running other enterprises for the village such as a store, school, church or other civic organization, and are looking for a supplemental income stream. 


The organization installs solar stations for villages for up to 100 households, and the micro-entrepreneurs collect around USD $2-3 per week from each household for the use of the solar lamps and batteries. Thus for the same weekly price they would otherwise pay for kerosene, villagers can access clean and safe solar lighting and own this infrastructure in 1-3 years time.
 
The micro-entrepreneur retains 15% of the gross revenue collected.