www.kiva.org

I used to support a charity that bought cows for women in countries where women weren't really allowed to have a business or money or any of the things we take for granted.  But these women needed to buy cows and be business women because all the men had been killed or maimed in the war that made them poor and marginalised.  The charity has recently stopped this programme.

Today I gave the meagre sum of $25USD so a lady in Bolivia could get a loan to buy fabric to expand her business as a seamstress and get a market stall.  She supports her husband and two children. Her whole loan was for $700USD - all she needed was the remaining $25USD to get the full loan.

The best thing about Kiva is the "revolving" nature of the programme.  She gets my money, gets the benefit of being able to grow her business and support her family and in small manageable (interest free) increments she pays her supporters back.  Once I get my $25 back, I can then invest it in someone else.  So we do her a good turn, then when she pays it back she's able (through me) to do a good turn to someone else. The idea is so elegant in its simplicity and beauty.

www.kiva.org/app.php

posted by: blytheswideshut at October 03, 2007 12:43 | link | comments (1) |

Comments:

#1  16 November 2007 - 06:03

 

thanks for posting this. I went to Kiva and signed up - and gave.

Anonymous

Comments: