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

Status update — March 29, 2018
Following up on our update from August 2016, Vitas Palestine has repaid its outstanding balance to Kiva in full, and these funds have been distributed to lenders. We've now closed this partnership. We thank Vitas Palestine for the years of collaboration and wish them success in their future endeavors.

Status update — August 29, 2016

Kiva and Vitas Palestine have jointly decided to wind down the partnership, and as a result Kiva has moved this Lending Partner to inactive status. This means Vitas Palestine is no longer fundraising loans on Kiva, though Kiva fully expects the partner to continue to send repayments owed to Kiva lenders for as long as the partner has an outstanding balance. Kiva thanks Vitas Palestine for their contributions to Kiva and for their work serving people throughout Palestine. Kiva and Vitas Palestine would also like to thank all Kiva lenders who have supported borrowers in Palestine over the course of the partnership.

Status update — January 2015
In January of 2015, Ryada changed their name to Vitas Palestine, to reflect their membership in the Vitas Group, which is Global Communities' (formerly CHF International) vehicle for fulfilling their mission in microfinance and small- and medium-enterprise finance.

Partner description:

Vitas Palestine was founded in 1994 as a program of CHF International to offer microfinance products in Palestine and provide services to low- and moderate-income businesses, home owners and consumers in the West Bank and Gaza. The organization targets clients who cannot access credit from commercial banking institutions.

In 2012, Vitas Palestine's outstanding portfolio reached US$14.4 million, and it was able to achieve a record-low at-risk percentage of 1.4% -- lower than other Palestinian microfinance institutions. Currently, it is one of the largest microfinance providers in the West Bank and Gaza. Vitas Palestine provides loans for housing, small businesses, young entrepreneurs and household needs. To date, the institution has disbursed US$100 million in loans, improving housing for 15,000 families, helping 6,200 small businesses grow, and impacting even more lives.

The institution partners with Palestine’s 6 major banks to operate its microfinance programs and build its profile as a solid investment business. Vitas Palestine has partnered with Kiva since 2008 and is now an active member of Palestinian microfinance network Sharakeh and Arabic microfinance network Sanabel, as well as MIX Market.

In the next five years, Vitas Palestine aims to register as a for-profit company, serve upwards of 17,000 clients, and reach an outstanding portfolio of $39 million.