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:
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.
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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