Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Gates, Buffett, and Me

Bill Gates and Warren Buffett are known for many things, but for the last few years, their major push into charities and the philanthropic work has been getting all the attention.

Hey wait a minute, me too! About 5 years ago I was reading an article in the Wall Street Journal about an organization called Kiva who works with people who are trying to get ahead in life. People from around the world get loans to start or expand a business and make a better life for themselves and their families.

The minimum loan dollar amount is $25.00. You lend it interest free. That is right, you don't make a nickel. There is always a chance of loss, but it is rare. I have made 12 micro loans to this organization. All money has been repaid and I re-loan it as soon as the money paid back hits $25.00.

My latest loan went to
Leslie Moreno 
Agriculture, Philippines
just loaned


Ana Avalos
General Store, Paraguay

36% paid back


Vitaliy Ivanchuck
Printing, Ukraine

70% paid back


Stella Ovenseri
Clothing Sales, Nigeria

100% paid back


Marlene
Pharmacy, Peru

100% paid back


Eva Vavrisevich
Shoe Sales, Ukraine

100% paid back


Thach Long
Construction Supplies, Cambodia

100% paid back


Marcelina García's Group
Retail, Paraguay

100% paid back


Antonio
Farming, Peru

100% paid back


Zonia López Moya
Food Production/Sales, Mexico

100% paid back


Rosa Sánchez 
Food Production/Sales, Ecuador
100% paid back


Cynthia Konnan
Beauty Salon, Ghana

100% paid back



When you go to the Kiva page, you see the people asking for money, the story behind them, their hopes and dreams and you pick the one you want to help. Being the loans are $25.00, it sometimes takes many  people  to get them to their goal. Yes, it feels good to help someone out, someone that you will never see but you know you had a helping hand in their success. 



That's it. No fuss, no mess. No heavy lifting.


Watch out Gates and Buffett, here comes Ray!


Click on the title to get to the site or go here  http://www.kiva.org/

2 comments:

Travel & Dive Girl said...

Yeah!!! This is such a GREAT cause - one that is close to my heart as well. I've been loaning to Kiva for over 4 years. My loans are typically to women for agricultural/farming projects, but they are all good causes.

raydenzel1 said...

Travel

Most of my loans are to women too. It is very difficult to get ahead in life for women in many parts of the world. Good for you and keep up the good work. The names above are part of my portfolio.

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