Microlending
Here is an interesting link to check out if you are interested in microfinance; I've recently become involved after reading about another blogger's experience, and it's really quite interesting.Basically, "average-income" people can make small microloans (through a non-profit organization called Kiva) to aid entrepeneurs in developing countries. Through the site, different people can collectively help finance a single small loan ($400, $600, $1000, etc). One can actually choose to loan as little as $25 to help finance a grocer in Ecuador, a cobbler in Mexico, a carpentry shop in Africa, etc.
Their repayment percentage appears to be relatively high.
Labels: developing countries, grassroots, Kiva, microlending
posted by L at 11:03 PM
3 Comments:
:-) This post makes me happy.
(First off, I found your blog because you posted on my blog, isn't the Internet wonderful?)
About a year ago (maybe six months), I don't know how, I found the website Kiva.org, that you make reference to. I suddenly was enthralled. I began to make a donation on a pay period basis (I get paid twice a month). It made me feel good. I have continued that habit, and now give $100 per month to Kiva. That is good.
In October, as part of my job, I was in Scottsdale Arizona meeting with business clientele. At one of those meetings I happened to throw out that I would love to live on a mountain and be a Buddhist in Japan after I finish this particular career drive. An individual responded with a "Why?" and the conversation continued. As we went along this route I came to learn he was a Buddhist and, most significantly, had a very international scope in his viewpoint. He is part of a group to help finance and create schools in Nepal for girls (the logic is – if they are educated and have a skill set then they are too valuable to sell off for prostitution). I, of course, in trying to advertise my attempts to be a good human being threw out my involvement in Kiva.org (which was only as a giver of funds and marketer to my friends). He was intrigued as he had never heard of Kiva.org. Score one for the transference of knowledge between humans.
A month or two later, I get an email and learn he knows some significant people who are involved in microfinance, including people who are currently working at the World Bank and Kiva.org (I did not know these facts during our conversation, just that he was a Buddhist). He then, on his own, started a plan to get Kiva.org into the Nepal by October of 2007. And from recent updates, it sounds as if those plans are still moving forward.
In a very small way, I was able to help people. That makes me happy.
acusticthoughts: wow. that is so cool. I love the fact that so many people can come together and try to make a difference. Things like that also make me happy :)
wow, very interesting! I am planning to write on something related to micro lending. I want to introduce this great tool to Nepal as well. I don’t know how to start. I want to gather info from people who have some ideas. I also want to know the process. Any help???
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