Sharing at Thanksgiving 2006

I just made another loan to someone in the developing world using the great Kiva website. This time I'm helping Boris Jordanov in Bulgaria with getting some equipment for his grocery store.

You can go to Kiva's website and lend to someone in the developing world who needs a loan for their business - like raising goats, selling vegetables at market or making bricks.  Each loan has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent - and you get updates letting you know how the business is going.

The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back - and Kiva's loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly. This is my third loan of $25 and I plan to re-lend to other businesses as these three finish their repayments. It's so easy to blow $25 on something stupid that it really feels great to instead put that money toward making a real difference.

Boris still needs another $1700 to complete his loan request of $2000.00.  You can help him out too or just visit Kiva.org to find another business you'd like to give a little assistance.

It's really cool to actually do something about poverty - using Kiva I know exactly who my money is loaned to and what they're using it for - and that the money really goes to helping that small businessperson.  And most of all, I know that I'm helping them build a sustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after my loan is paid back. Plus it's just great to build those connections. I am a lender to people in Uganda, Honduras and Bulgaria now. This totally beats collecting stamps!

Join me in changing the world - one loan at a time - and spreading some of your Thanksgiving blessings across the planet.

Comments

Sharing at Thanksgiving

I just made another loan to someone in the developing world using the great Kiva website. This time I'm helping Boris Jordanov in Bulgaria with getting some equipment for his grocery store.

You can go to Kiva's website and lend to someone in the developing world who needs a loan for their business - like raising goats, selling vegetables at market or making bricks.  Each loan has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent - and you get updates letting you know how the business is going.

The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back - and Kiva's loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly. This is my third loan of $25 and I plan to re-lend to other businesses as these three finish their repayments. It's so easy to blow $25 on something stupid that it really feels great to instead put that money toward making a real difference.

Boris still needs another $1700 to complete his loan request of $2000.00.  You can help him out too or just visit Kiva.org to find another business you'd like to give a little assistance.

It's really cool to actually do something about poverty - using Kiva I know exactly who my money is loaned to and what they're using it for - and that the money really goes to helping that small businessperson.  And most of all, I know that I'm helping them build a sustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after my loan is paid back. Plus it's just great to build those connections. I am a lender to people in Uganda, Honduras and Bulgaria now. This totally beats collecting stamps!

Join me in changing the world - one loan at a time - and spreading some of your Thanksgiving blessings across the planet.

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