Robert Clements in the principal of Wickman Elementary School. In July 2011, his students received an award from the Rockefeller Foundation for their work with Kiva.

1. Using Kiva.org in the
Classroom
By Robert Clements

2. About Robert Clements
Robert Clements was recently the principal of Wickman
Elementary School. In July 2011, his students received an
award from the Rockefeller Foundation for their work with
Kiva.

3. About Kiva.org
Kiva.org is a micro-financing site that allows people to
lend small amounts of money—as little as $25—to fund
projects across the globe. For school students, it can also
illustrate lessons about finance, provide opportunities to
meet people around the world, and make a difference to
poor entrepreneurs in third-world countries.

4. Kiva.org and Service Learning
For any educator interested in incorporating service
learning into his or her lesson plan, Kiva presents a
marvelous opportunity. Children can learn about
finance, lending, and fundraising, then loan small sums of
real money to truly make a difference to others. In
reviewing the profiles of entrepreneurs, children can get a
sense of what life is like in different countries and
cultures, and are inspired to do further research about
different countries to determine where their money will
best be spent.

5. Kiva.org and Wickman
Elementary School
The fourth, fifth, and sixth graders of Wickman
Elementary School in Chino Hills, California put these
ideas into practice. Students work each year to choose
Kiva entrepreneurs and projects to support, raise
money, and lend micro-loans to people around the world.
They then hold a Kiva Kids World Summit, meeting with
people who represent the countries they’ve explored.