Loans That Change Lives...


If you aren't already familiar with Kiva, let me try and explain or better yet, this this website if you get a chance.

Kiva is a non-profit organization that facilitates loans to individuals/small businesses in various developing countries. For $25, you can micro finance a small business of your choice. Although $25 doesn't seem like a great amount of money - it is, especially in areas where money and resources are scarce. For a less than a dinner for two, you can make a world of difference towards the betterment of someone's life.

I currently sponsor two individuals. My first loan was to Amina Zahanatia - she operates a poultry business in Tanzania and her loan has been 90% repaid. My second loan was to Queen Okhuahesohan - she runs a small food supply store in Nigeria and her loan has been 25% repaid.

The typical life-cycle of a loan is usually 6-12 months and during that time, you will receive updates as to your repayment status. You can either choose to re-loan what has been paid back or remove your money from the system.

I hope to add more loans to my portfolio in the upcoming months. I say “hope” because on occasion (i.e. after Kiva has been featured on Oprah); loan support has been so generous that there aren’t enough small businesses in the system to keep up with demand - obviously great news!

The concept of Kiva is similar to the old Chinese proverb: "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I Was Feeling Pretty Good Until...

I had my annual “physical” yesterday.   I’ve been attending the same clinic for well over 20 years and am overall happy with the service I receive.  The clinic is part of a state-of-the-art teaching hospital, so with that I typically have relatively quick access to a network of specialists should the need arise.  With that being said, I’m usually treated by residents and have rarely had the same resident in all my 20 years. I felt pretty good going into the appointment and then not so much by the time I left.   Why do you ask? Well, first of all I was treated by Miss Doogie Howser.   I swear she wasn’t even legal drinking age.  That in itself made me feel old, because when I first started going to that clinic – I WAS her age. As she was running down the standard list of questions (i.e. do you smoke, how much do you drink, is there any history of heart problems in your family), she ask...
Read more

Snot Bubbles and Wedgies...

Scuba diving can be the most relaxing, peaceful experience of your life – no cell phones, no boss and no noise, except for your own bubbles; however it can be a sport that is not for the faint of heart – rough waters, sharks and crushing depths. If you are self-conscious, shy or weak of stomach, scuba diving may not be for you. Let me explain… Warning: The following may be overly descriptive. Read on at your own risk… The scuba wetsuit. There is nothing glamorous about squeezing a size 8, 10, 12 body into a size 8 neoprene wetsuit, while sweating under the Caribbean sun. It’s sort of like trying to put a sock on while your foot is still wet. Scuba diving professionals may tell you, that neoprene doesn’t shrink, but those people are liars. What they are really trying to do is make you feel good about yourself – selfish bastards. I am living proof that my wetsuit has shrunk on numerous occasions – usually over the winter months. Coincidence? I think not. The wedgie. This un...
Read more