Kiva is an organization designed to alleviate poverty by making “loans that change lives” (http://www.kiva.org/about).
I am so fortunate to be an entrepreneur in a country where money, clients and opportunity are plentiful. And whatever the state of the economy, and whatever my individual money worries and concerns might be, I really do have so much in comparison to so many.
Kiva has established a network connecting people around the world who need loans (usually in under-developed, struggling and impoverished nations) with those with an ability to lend. “Kiva’s mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty.“
Loans can be as little as $25, up to however much you’d like to and are able to afford to lend – with 100% of the money from the loans going to the people/group you’ve decided to lend it to. Kiva does ask for a completely voluntary donation of 10% of the amount of your loan to help cover their costs, but this is completely voluntary and if you don’t want to donate to Kiva, you can still lend.
How often have you thought to yourself, “How can I possibly make a difference?”. Well, with Kiva, you can help support a person/group wanting to improve their lives, their family’s lives and those of their community. You can help others towards a sustainable future. I encourage you to check out Kiva’s website (http://www.kiva.org/about) to see what they are all about.
The only hard part is trying to decide which person/group to lend to. They are all so deserving. There are so many that want to make a better life for themselves. I find it most encouraging and motivating, and I’m so pleased that there is something I can do to make a change for the better in someone else’s life.
By coming together as a global community and for as little as $25 at a time, we really can make a difference. I think that’s just awesome.
As we approach the holiday season, and I know money is tight all around, I ask you to check Kiva out and, even if you can’t lend, that you pass on information about Kiva to the people you know. Together we can make a difference. Thanks.
Tags: alleviate, Blogging, future, Help, Journal, Kiva, lend, Life, poverty, sustainable, Virtual Assistant, Work, Writing
