Monday, March 12, 2012

A public service announcement: Kiva.org

Hey, do y'all know about Kiva.org? They're the microloan site that helps back small loans to small businesses in developing nations. Anyone can be a Kiva lender with just $25. As a lender you earn no interest and take all the risk, so it keeps costs very low and affordable for people trying to make a dignified living in some pretty trying circumstances.

Right now Kiva is giving away free $25 trial accounts. The founder of LinkedIn donated $1 to fund the accounts, and they're going fast. If you'd like to try being a Kiva lender, click the link and it will take you to the sign-up page.

In the five or six years I've had my Kiva account I've made 56 loans so far and had only two borrowers default. Both were women in Kenya who had to flee their homes during violent uprisings. I've been focusing on single moms and widows, since lone women tend to be most vulnerable in developing nations. But there are a wide range of borrowers to choose from.

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