Medford, Oregon ninth-graders are learning about global economic realities while they use technology to make microloans to entrepreneurs in developing countries.

Dave Lefkowitz’ five World Studies classes at South Medford High School regularly make loans to the working poor around the world through San Francisco-based Kiva.

The nonprofit facilitates loans as low as $25 through its Web site, www.Kiva.org, and gives lenders – in this case, the students – the ability to choose loan recipients and follow the progress of their businesses. A Cambodian mason who needed a loan for a second-hand motorcycle to transport mortar was a recent choice.

Lefkowitz’ students are enthusiastic about the opportunity to learn about other cultures, loan money, and see just how it helps a business. “I think it’s really exciting because you get to look at the people and the country they’re from,” said 14-year old Lauren Morgan. “And you get to make a difference, and you can see the difference happening.” The students are learning fundamental lessons about macro and microeconomics, including that many people exist on very little in contrast to their counterparts in developed nations.

That suits their instructor. “I try to make sure pretty early in the year that my students understand that almost half the world lives on $2 or less a day,” Lefkowitz said. When student contributions to the loan account get to $20, Lefkowitz throws in the additional $5 needed for the minimum amount.

Students choose a loan recipient from a world region they’re studying. In that process, they look at multiple aspects of countries, including life expectancy, infant mortality, gross domestic product, languages spoken, and culture. When they’re making the loan decision, students also look at the credit rating strength of a country’s field partners, the microfinance institutions that serve the borrowers. Then the class takes a vote.

The project has taken on a life of its own. Students have several thousand dollars in their loan account. Other classes besides Lefkowitz’ now participate, and classes compete against one another. One started a school organization to generate more loan money.

Native Spanish speakers in Lefkowitz’ classes visited the school’s Spanish-language classes, explaining the project to them. Students in those classes then made loans to entrepreneurs in Latin America. The project has spread outside the school halls. A local newspaper ran an article about the school’s Kiva connection, and community donations started pouring in.

“I think it’s a fantastic way to get people involved in their world. I don’t see what the downside is,” Lefkowitz said. Kiva spokeswoman Fiona Ramsey agreed.

“It’s a great way for students to learn about life in the developing world, particularly from connecting with the poor in a way that doesn’t emphasize their poverty,” said Ramsey. “Rather, it gives students an opportunity to learn about business and entrepreneurship from them.”

Teachers can go to “Do More” on Kiva.org and then to the “Kiva in the Classroom” link for more information, curriculum and video. The nonprofit encourages teachers to e-mail their Kiva-related lesson plans to contactus@kiva.org for inclusion on the site.

Sheila Riley is a San Francisco-based freelance journalist. She is also an experienced online editor and ESL curriculum developer, and teaches ESL at City College of San Francisco.

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