Kiva - loans which change lives

busstopgirl

www.kiva.org

OK, so this is an investment which doesn't give a good monetary return, but I'm excited about it cos it means I can put small amounts of my money out of temptation's way for a while AND help someone at the same time.

It's simple and effective - Kiva enable you to loan your money (as little as $25 - currently less than £13 in sterling) to the working poor:

"Kiva lets you connect with and loan money to unique small businesses in the developing world. By choosing a business on Kiva.org, you can "sponsor a business" and help the world's working poor make great strides towards economic independence. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates from the business you've sponsored. As loans are repaid, you get your loan money back.

Kiva partners with existing microfinance institutions. In doing so, we gain access to outstanding entrepreneurs from impoverished communities world-wide. Our partners are experts in choosing qualified borrowers. That said, they are usually short on funds. Through Kiva.org, our partners upload their borrower profiles directly to the site so you can lend to them."

I've just lent a few quid to a lady from Kabul called Sharifa, so she can buy materials for her beadwork business and use her creative skills to support her family. She needs more than I'm able to lend her at the moment, but once a few other people have chipped in with their loans, Sharifa will be able to stock up.

Who will you invest in?

:A

jonesMUFCforever

Spam!!!!! !!

busstopgirl

This is NOT spam. It's a honest post which I posted to 'Savings and Investments', as it's about investing - but it's been misunderstood and moved to Loans.

It's NOT a loan company. It's an ethical org which puts Westerners with small amounts to invest in contact with people in the developing world who want to borrow those small amounts, which are large amounts to them.

The profit you make as a lender is minimal in monetary terms but big in humanitarian terms.

I have no connection to Kiva except as someone who discovered their existence this week and is excited to have found them and be able to take part.

Guess I should have titled the post 'Kiva - investments which change lives'.

CHR15

My first thoughts are Spam too. Both from the way it's titled and the way it is written.

Definitely looks more like advertising than helping (although it does seem legit).

Where can I sign up for someone to give me a potful of money? [/sarcasm]

Not for me but good luck