Anyone heard of Kiva.org?

KillerJello

I donated $25 to them, I guess its a loan which they will repay you within a year or so. Anyone else use Kiva?

Savvy_Sue

We use it at church, mostly recycling the money IYSWIM.

pjcox2005

As with all charities there is an element of trust that money is being used the right way but I like Kiva.

Thinks its a good concept to give people a helping hand based on an idea for them to try and support themselves long term. Appreciate some of the loans are pre-funded but in my mind I'm still donating to the specific investment.

Would like to see them extend out to uk support as well but maybe thats not quite as easy to make a difference due to the cost of setting up a business/second income stream

animalhouse

I've made three Kiva loans so far. No probs at all and I like the feeling of helping individuals.
They do charge interest to borrowers, and have been criticised for doing so, but they need to cover admin costs and the risk of non-repayment. However, they are lending to people who wouldn't normally be considered for a loan, so I think they're providing a good and needed service.

gildius

I like Kiva - I've donated a few times and always got the money back, so this year I'm donating $25 a month

scorpio_biker

I use Kiva too, I just keep recycling my $25.

I also use lendwithcare.org, same principle.

polr

I use Kiva and you're right, it's a loan to partially fund a business idea/expansion etc. I like that you can choose who to loan to, makes it much more personal.

Oh, and I've also been paid back and refunded the money so it does work!

cr1mson

I love Kiva and we use it as a family. The kids both got a Kiva card at Xmas and I got two as birthday presents. We then pick loans as a family as our original ones are repaid.

NumboJumbo

Here's a collection of other micro-loan websites, which may appeal to other people:
http://helpfromhome.org/category/actions/do-good/miscellaneous-do-good/micro-ethical-lending

butterflymum

Another thumbs up for Kiva from me too. No guarantee your 'loan' will be paid back....but if it is, then you can 'loan' it on again, if it isn't, then look on it as having been a charity donation (which you wouldn't have been getting back anyhow).

:T

silkcutblue

Been using Kiva for years very successfully.