You know @inertia, i love them for transparency.
In most situations where you could give to a charity or put money into a larger "fund", you don't get to see where your money goes. With Kiva, you not only get to see where your money goes, you get to select where your money goes.

Another reason i will stick with them is the empowering rather than aiding.
I believe it's more powerful to empower someone who has an idea and their own will. If they can borrow and pay back their debt, they have made a commitment and followed through on that commitment. Building that kind of confidence and responsibility is more powerful than any hand out.

I have made over 40 loans on Kiva. I've lent $1100 and thus far it has all been paid back. It's gratifying to see how an initial stake of $200 has been lended, paid back and re-lended many times.