shortly before the Africa ebola outbreak I made a Kiva loan to a gal in Liberia

[Skittles]

Last edited Tue Nov 4, 2014, 09:29 PM - Edit history (1)

I've received word from Kiva that 39 of the Kiva loan recipients in Liberia have passed away and that due to the ebola crisis the loan schedule has been suspended for four months. When I click on the link that went directly to my gal's profile, she is no longer there so I fear she may be one of them. Kiva has acknowledged the wishes of many of us to forgive the loans but advised they will provide further direction in four months.

I just want people to know that ebola is still a major crisis - just not in America.

for Africa

[uppityperson]

1. Oh no, It is devastating

[Kali]

2. thanks for reminding us to not be so damn self centered

[Skittles]

9. I see the jokes about ebola and while I do understand the context (repuke hysteria)

I want people to know it's not a joke elsewhere - this is a great human tragedy that could have been prevented if people had just cared more about Africa

[bananas]

13. The jokes get me angry and my replies are going over peoples heads.

Sorry for the bad news, this must be heartbreaking and frustrating for you.

[BrotherIvan]

14. Absolutely agree

People are dying and the survivors are suffering great grief. Thank you for your post as it reminds us all that smugness is stupid.

[demmiblue]

3. That personal connection really makes it hit home, doesn't it?

Thank you for sharing.

[Skittles]

10. it does, because I kept thinking about her

I kept hoping she was OK

[Solly Mack]

4. K&R

[etherealtruth]

5. For those so terribly impacted in West Africa

[MerryBlooms]

6. On no, I'm so sorry, Kali.

[renate]

7. how sad--I am so sorry

It's a terrible tragedy and I'm sure it feels like a very personal one--your heart must have sunk when you couldn't find her page. Although this doesn't apply to most of the deaths in Liberia and elsewhere, I hope you are comforted somewhat by the knowledge that you helped to give her hope for the future; it's heartbreaking that she didn't live to see it fulfilled, but you were a part of bringing her some happiness that she wouldn't otherwise have had.

[Skittles]

11. the page now goes to other Liberia folk participating in the Kiva program

there's nothing saying she has passed away but that does seem ominous....

[WillowTree]

8. Gal??!!!

[Skittles]

12. I have been in Texas a long time

some of the words here I adopted, others not so much

[KG]

15. sorry...

[japple]

16. "Gals?" Skittles, I don't know you, but this hit me the wrong way.

I hate to sound like an ignoramus, but "gal" is what all the Ole' White SOBs called their African female slave property.

ETA: And maybe I am just out-of-touch with culture.

[Skittles]

17. that's what you got from my post?

gal is commonly used in the south to refer to FEMALES

[japple]

18. No. I completely understood what you posted and I am devastated by what is happening there.

I was just dumbstruck (and I noticed that someone else commented on it as well) by your comments about gals. Ask any feminist how they feel about being referred to as a gal. Maybe in the 1940s and 1950s it was not considered a slur, but times have certainly changed.

PS: I live in Georgia, so it's not like I'm not familiar with the subject.

[REP]

20. Hi. I'm a feminist. And I understand regional colloquialisms.

"Gal" in the context in which Skittles used it was neither inappropriate nor insensitive. It is a friendly, casual way that women refer to other women of equal social standing, as in other regions women use "girls" to refer to female friends.

[japple]

23. Kind of like using bitches to refer to women peers? I know that younger folks use that term

to refer to their peers. It is still offensive as far as I am concerned. It must be obvious that I am a dinosaur and not in sync with modern culture. That's okay by me.

[Skittles]

25. LOLOL

you poor thang

[Texasgal]

27. Gals are okay.

It's not awful.

[Liberal_in_LA]

19. that's so sad.

[REP]

21. I'm so sorry

I can't even imagine what the people of the affected countries must be going through.

[treestar]

22. Oh my, I hope she is OK

Hopefully it is just that business is slowing down because of people not being able to go out or not wanting to.

[KMOD]

24. heartbreaking

[JohnnyLib2]

26. Tough, sad, kick in the head story.

I'm sorry to hear this, but thank you for posting it.