Giving back on a global scale
Here’s a smart new way to give back. A San Francisco-based microfinancier called Kiva (a Swahili word meaning “agreement” or “unity”) matches people who want to loan small amounts of money with entrepreneurs in emerging countries. All you have to do is choose from a list of small businesses and projects in countries including Kenya, Mexico, Ecuador and Uganda. Next, decide how much cash you want to contribute – starting from $25 – and send it with PayPal. The site outlines each entrepreneur’s project and what the selected business will do with the funds.
Recipients keep online journals (often with updates from loan officers) and keep you in the loop about their progress and how your cash is being used. Once the interest-free loan is repaid, you get your money back.
This organization clearly understands how the connected generation wants to give back. It honors the fact that would-be benefactors don’t always have bulging wallets, and it enables people to support concrete change on a highly personal level. Sounds like a satisfying way to make a difference.
This post was written by Cheri Hanson
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