Kiva – Microloans to help beat poverty
Posted by jas | Posted in Interesting, Recommendations | Posted on 18-07-2009
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I just made a loan to someone in Mozambique using a revolutionary new website called Kiva (www.kiva.org).
My loaner page is here: http://www.kiva.org/lender/jasonjordan
You can go to Kiva’s website and lend to someone across the globe who needs a loan for their business – like raising goats, selling vegetables at market or making bricks. Each loan has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent – and you get updates letting you know how the entrepreneur is going.
The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back – and Kiva’s loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly.
It’s finally easy to actually do something about poverty – using Kiva I know exactly who my money is loaned to and what they’re using it for. And most of all, I know that I’m helping them build a sustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after my loan is paid back.
Join me in changing the world – one loan at a time. I’ve only just started but I’ll be continuing to add new money to my loans as well as re-investing as the loans are re-paid. You don’t get a financial dividend on your investment – but that’s not what this is about. This is all about helping out because you can.
Visit Kiva now and find out more: http://www.kiva.org
Thanks!
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What others are saying about www.Kiva.org:
‘Revolutionising how donors and lenders in the US are connecting with small entrepreneurs in developing countries.’ – BBC
‘If you’ve got 25 bucks, a PC and a PayPal account, you’ve now got the wherewithal to be an international financier.’ – CNN Money
‘Smaller investors can make loans of as little as $25 to specific individual entrepreneurs through a service launched last fall by Kiva.org.’ – The Wall Street Journal
‘An inexpensive feel-good investment opportunity…All loaned funds go directly to the applicants, and most loans are repaid in full.’ – Entrepreneur Magazine
