But there is a way out of poverty.
It's called Kiva. Kiva makes microloans ($25) to individuals around the world. The recipient of the loan uses the money to purchase inventory to sell (be it food, clothing, etc.) The recipient improves her life, her family's life, and her community by being a small business owner. Through local banks, the loans are disbursed and PAID BACK IN FULL to the lender. YOU are the lender. YOU can transform a life, a family, a community.
If you are reading this blog, then you have a computer. If you have a computer, you have $25. Let's face it, we are all going to spend a lot more than that on holiday gifts for friends and family this year. We ALL have $25 to give.
So I encourage you to make a Kiva loan, and maybe even have THAT be your gift to a family member (like Charity: Water or Heifer International.) Kiva has gift certificates so your family/friends can pick their own project to loan to with YOUR money. How great is that??
Do you have a favorite world-charity? How are you working to help others and take the "commercial" out of the holidays this year?
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1 comment:
Thank you so much for sharing Kiva with the rest of us. I had no idea there was something like that out there. As a small business owner and female entrepreneur I really have a heart for these other entrepreneurs and what they are trying to accomplish. I believe that those of us who are more fortunate (and all Americans are fortunate) should give back. Thanks again for sharing such a groundbreaking organization with the rest of us. I'm excited to be a part of something so empowering.
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