Kiva.org
Loans that change lives

Kiva is a unique organization where they connect people that want to help make a difference with those needing small amounts of loan money to build unique small businesses in a developing world.

A person goes and chooses a business that they relate to on their web site, then commits to "sponsor that business" this helps 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.

They partner with existing micro-finance institutions. In doing so, they gain access to outstanding entrepreneurs from impoverished communities world-wide. Their partners are experts in choosing qualified borrowers. That said, they are usually short on funds. Through their organization, partners upload their borrower profiles directly to the site so they can lend to them.

In using the power of the Internet to facilitate one-to-one connections that were previously prohibitively expensive. Child sponsorship has always been a high overhead business. They create a similar interpersonal connection at much lower costs due to the instant, inexpensive nature of Internet delivery. The individuals featured on their website are real people who need a loan and are waiting for socially-minded individuals like you to lend them money.

If you would like to know more or give them a helping hand go to Kiva.org to get more details

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