Kiva...

I just made my fourth loan to someone in the developing world using a revolutionary new website called Kiva.

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. 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.  My plan is to leave the money that is paid back with Kiva and loan it out again.

I just made a loan to an entrepreneur named Hameedan Allah Rakha in Pakistan. They still need another $225.00 to complete their loan request of $1,125.00 (you can loan as little as $25.00!). Help me get this business off the ground by clicking here to make a loan to Hameedan Allah Rakha.

It's finally easy 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 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.

I hope you will join me in changing the world - one loan at a time.

Thanks!

Eric

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What others are saying about Kiva:

'Revolutionising how donors and lenders in the US are connecting with small entrepreneurs in developing countries.'
-- BBC

'If you've got 25 bucks, a PC and a PayPal account, you've now got the wherewithal to be an international financier.'
-- CNN Money

'Smaller investors can make loans of as little as $25 to specific individual entrepreneurs through a service launched last fall by Kiva.org.'
-- The Wall Street Journal

'An inexpensive feel-good investment opportunity...All loaned funds go directly to the applicants, and most loans are repaid in full.'
-- Entrepreneur Magazine

Comments

[RC]

Sounds like the old loan officer in you is enjoying this reincarnation! ;-)

[Eric]

You may be right...

[Kimberly]

Ok, so here's what I'm thinking: as soon as I get the Etsy shop updated, I designate $25 worth of items to go toward a Kiva loan, and then I can just start recyclying it through - free market economy supporting small business lending. It's a plan.

[Eric]

I love it when a plan comes together...