Loans to People in Need

One of the great things about the Internet is the way it makes new business methods practical. In the past there was no way I, as an individual, could make much direct practical difference to individuals in developing countries. Today, however, I just made a loan to someone in the developing world using www.kiva.org.

You can go to Kiva's website and lend to someone in the developing world 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.

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. At that point you can either reclaim the money, or lend it to someone else.

I just made a loan to an entrepreneur named Illenikhene Isibakhome in Nigeria. She still needs another $500.00 to complete their loan request of $600.00 (you can loan as little as $25.00!). Help me get this entrepreneur off the ground by clicking here to make a loan to Illenikhene Isibakhome too.

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.

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