The Cultural World Behind Your Investments

Discover the world behind your investments. With the tips below, you can read, watch and listen to art from the countries where your investments make a difference.

Behind every project you invest in through Lendahand lies more than a loan or an interest rate. You invest in equal opportunities in a specific country, rich in culture and creativity.

Together with blog Cultural Reads, we dive into music, books, films and even card games from the countries you invested in this year. For each country, you will find an artist or writer whose work might resonate.

Tip: Log in to your account and take a look at your investments. Which countries stand out to you? You might just find a fitting cultural tip below.

 

Music

We break the silence with music. There are so many beautiful sounds and captivating rhythms to discover that choosing can be difficult. That is why we help you get started with a few tips from contemporary musicians who creatively reinterpret traditional music from their country of origin.

Cambodia – Laura Mam

Soft, modern pop and new wave with Cambodian roots. Laura Mam is an American-Cambodian musician who draws inspiration from both Western pop and traditional Cambodian sounds. Her music is calm and accessible, while also carrying a clear mission.

In addition to her own work, Laura Mam founded a record label in Cambodia to support local artists and bring Cambodian music back onto international stages.

 

Indonesia – Nusantara Beat

The music of Nusantara Beat immerses you in the past and present at the same time. This band, with Dutch and Indonesian roots, blends traditional sounds from regions such as Bali with modern influences. “The fusion of traditional Southeast Asian music with contemporary genres like jazz, funk and electronic music shows that culture is never static, but constantly evolving,” Cultural Reads reflects.

 

Mongolia – Traditional throat singing

Mongolian music quite literally breathes. Its singing styles and rhythms are closely connected to the lives of nomadic communities in the vast landscapes. The music carries you through space and mimics sounds from nature. For the traditional throat singing, no full orchestra is needed, although it may sound as if several singers are performing at once.

Note: Listening to your music through a streaming platform? Keep in mind that ethical alternatives also exist, such as Tidal, Deezer or Bandcamp.

 

Literature

From Nobel Prizes to film adaptations, literary works from around the world explore themes that often have major political and cultural impact.

Nicaragua – Gioconda Belli

In her novel The Inhabited Woman, Gioconda Belli tells the story of a young woman who embodies the spirit of a nation fighting for freedom and identity. The novel weaves personal growth with political and social themes, showing how literature can create space for both resistance and imagination.

The microfinance institutions you invest in through Lendahand in Nicaragua, such as MiCrédito and Aldea Global, work every day to build resilience within their communities. Just like in the novel, they focus on the fundamental role women play in economic and social progress. Stories like these show why access to finance truly matters.

 

Peru – Mario Vargas Llosa

Writer Mario Vargas Llosa is considered one of the most influential thinkers and authors in Latin America. His humorous yet political writing style earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2010. He passed away in 2025 at the age of 89.

 

Film

Kenya – Rafiki - Softie - Supa Modo

Kenya has a rich film culture with diverse stories, and we are happy to share three of them!

Softie is a Kenyan documentary from 2020 that follows the political journey of a young idealistic activist who decides to run in the 2017 Kenyan elections, which were disrupted by a boycott and violence. 

In Rafiki, love between a lesbian couple radiates from the screen. While the film was internationally well received, it was banned in Kenya due to its LGBTQI+ theme. This sparked widespread protest and led the director to take legal action so the film could still be shown. Despite the many nominations and awards Rafiki received, Kenya submitted Supa Modo to the Oscars in 2018.

Click here for more African films worth watching.

 

Mexico – Like Water for Chocolate

Unfortunately, no telenovela on this list. Instead, we dive into Mexican cuisine with Like Water for Chocolate, a film in which food, emotion and tradition are inseparably connected.

The story revolves around Tita, who by family tradition must remain unmarried to care for her mother. When she falls in love, she finds an outlet through cooking. Her dishes convey her longing, sorrow and passion to everyone who eats them. A powerful call for personal freedom and resistance against constraining traditions.

Curious for more Mexican films? You can find a list of eight more recommendations here.

 

International Card Games for the Holidays

“Culture is often found in what you do together.”

Games as cultural heritage. At the table, without screens. Card games are all about attention, interaction and rhythm. Ready for a round of Tuto Cabrero from Colombia or Fis Kut from Afghanistan? You can find the rules here.

 

Literature Shortlist Other Countries

Tonga – Epeli Hauʻofa

In Tales of the Tikongs, Hauʻofa uses humour and sharp observation to show how island communities deal with economic and cultural pressure. Probably recognisable stories for entrepreneurs receiving financing through microfinance institutions such as SPBD Tonga and SPBD Samoa? A classic of Pacific literature.

Tajikistan – Andrei Volos

In Hurramabad, Volos paints a powerful picture of Tajikistan after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The novel shows how identity and everyday life come under pressure during times of conflict and uncertainty.

Uganda – Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi

In The First Woman, Makumbi retells Ugandan stories from a female perspective. The story of protagonist Kirabo is deeply personal yet timeless, exploring identity, womanhood and the search for one’s origins.

 

Writing a Strong Story Together

As part of the Lendahand crowd, you invest not only in projects, but in people and places with their own stories.

Will you continue writing your story, and that of others, in the year ahead? Explore all projects.