glenstorey
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02:13:59 am on September 5, 2008 | # |
I’m not sure if I’ve shared this yet, but one of the best websites ever has to be kiva.org. It’s built around the idea of microfinance – you loan money to an entrepreneur in a third world country, they start or build their business, and then they pay you back (over a year usually). When you get the money back you can take it back (and the way the kiwi dollar is going you might even get more!) or reloan it – which is more fun.
It’s really well scaffolded – through smart microfinance organisations and they have a really, really, really low loan default rate.
You only need to loan $25 ($36NZ) – and you can keep in touch with the person your loaning to and how their business is going.
Here’s someone I loaned $25 to.
Mrs. Phov Phoin, 26, is a mother of two children who are too young to attend school. She and her husband are rice and livestock farmers. Collectively they earn approximately eight dollars per day. The couple would like to use a loan to increase the number of chickens they raise and purchase a motor-bike for transportation.
Cool aye? Beats a CD anyday.
bchboy1 2:31 am on September 5, 2008 | # |
I’ve heard a little about this..thanks to you it’s time to learn more!
Drew Meyers 4:30 am on September 5, 2008 | # |
I’ve been a fan of Kiva for quite awhile — it’s certainly very powerful to be able to help people improve their lives via loans as small as $25.
semifiction 8:46 am on September 5, 2008 | # |
This is a rad idea, i might invest!