> If the idea is to make people feel that they have done something useful with their $25, which they get back a few months later, it works wonderfully.
I am not sure what to make of this comment - are you suggesting that Kiva is a "poison on humanity" for doing this, or that I am for saying it?! Please clarify! For further reference on this specific point you might find Dr. Phil Mader's post, which I reference, useful:
http://governancexborders.com/2013/12/10/kivanomics-101-or-d...
The actual quote is that Kiva allows us "to consume the feeling of charity without financial loss"
You might also appreciate the work of Domen Bajde referenced in Mader's article.