Neville Crawley Sofia Vergara Time 100 Talks
The Colombian actress Sofía Vergara, together with Neville Crawley, CEO of Kiva, took part in TIME100 Talks — a format in which the 100 most influential people in the world talk — explaining how Kiva helps those who have been affected by the pandemic with its COVID-19 response fund.
“COVID affected everyone, there are no borders. Neglected populations are the first to be impacted, and especially women´s businesses,” said Vergara. She states seeing the impact of Kiva, with her experience and resources, by setting examples of how they have helped women overcome the difficulties of abandoning or changing their businesses in the middle of the pandemic. “Microloans help create jobs in local communities, inspire new businesses”.
“Microloans frequently go to entrepreneurs, 87% women”, points out Crawley. She explains that one of the most important things in these times is the speed of the loan: “Our partnership with Sofía Vergara and the COVID fund came about because we saw a particular need at this moment to obtain additional capital quickly. Having financing in one or two days can make a difference in maintaining a business or losing it”.
Since the launch of the fund, in which Vergara and Luis Balaguer partnered with Kiva, was announced in May, more than US$60 million have been raised to help more than 70,000 people worldwide.
The US actress and producer Eva Longoria, of Mexican and Spanish origin, also took part in another edition, explaining how her coalition Momento Latino is working to address the needs of the Latina community, especially those workers affected by the pandemic. Created in July, its goal is to support this community during and after the pandemic, as well as to connect non-profit organizations with Latinos. “So we think we are going to resolve this because Latinos represent 35% of the workers on the frontline. They are the ones who are allowing the country to continue working”.
Watch TIME100 Talks interview with Sofía Vergara and Neville Crawley
