There are people all over the world who, while living in impoverished conditions, see a way out with an inspired entrepreneurial idea. These people are willing to work hard to farm or weave or fish or build, but don’t have the resources to get even the smallest business off the ground. More often than not, traditional financial institutions are either unavailable or the individual does not qualify.
At the same time, all around the world, there are many people with compassionate hearts and a small amount of extra money. They would like to help the less fortunate, but aren’t quite sure how they can really make a difference with just a few dollars.
Enter Kiva, this week’s Sunday Service giving opportunity.
For as little as a $25, you can help fund a microfinance loan in a far corner of the globe. Perhaps help fund aboat for fishing, a tractor for farming, or an oven for a small cafe. When the far away entrepreneur repays his/her loan (and over 98% are repaid), you can choose to reinvest in someone else, or withdraw your money and move on.
Since Kiva was founded in 2005, over 750,000 lenders from 217 countries have loaned over $292 million dollars in 61 countries. Just over 80% of those loans were made to women entrepreneurs, an appropriate note after celebrating International Women’s Day this past week.
Take a few minutes to read some Kiva success stories and Charity Navigator’s rating of the organization. Then, if you would like to give someone a hand up instead of a handout, register with Kiva today and make your first contribution.
[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/16991128 w=400&h=300]
