Kiva

Kiva is a fantastic opportunity for both givers and receivers.

Those receiving loans get a chance to start or improve a micro-business in parts of the world where such credit is non-existant. Those giving loans get the chance to participate in the success of deserving people throughout the world.

Your money recycles! We deposited $200 just a few years ago, and have already given four times as much in loans! It's a miracle idea, letting repaid loans fund new loans and new loans and new loans ad infinitum.

And it's fun! Seeing exactly to whom your money is going, then seeing it return in a timely manner, and lending it out again, over and over, is a REAL pleasure. A true joy, actually.

You should definitely open an account, and start lending.

I simply cannot recommend Kiva highly enough.

The power of $25 a month. We've all heard the platitudes such as be the change you want to see in the world and Kiva gives you that opportunity with literally pocket change. For those that don't like to "donate", this isn't a donation, it's a loan. But if you leave it in there and continue to invest, you'll get to see the incredible results I've seen.

I started making loans in 2011. $25 dollars a month to someone, somewhere in the world that needed a little help. Kiva doesn't require a donation but they'll gladly take the couple of dollars it needs to help offset the small infrastructure they have.

Again, these are loans and the end game I wanted to see was a flywheel of repayments coming back at me from the loans I've previously funded. I still fund my single $25 monthly loan but I also fund another 8-10 depending on the payments coming my way ($200-$250/month). I've had the joy of helping women, children, men all over the world achieve their goals with the help of other Kiva supporters.

To date, I've made 393 loans across 69 countries and have lent nearly $10,000 (most of those are simply re-lending money in my account that has been paid back) as my total deposits are only $3,900-again, built up by routinely loaning $25 a month.

Do you want to help a person, family or even an entire village, for just pennies a day? Sound infomercial-ly enough for you? Lol...don't worry, this is better than an infomercial.

Think about how much money you spent on unnecessary things last month. Going out to eat, coffee, alcohol, cigarettes? I'm not trying to make you feel guilty, but I think a lot of us probably spend more than we need to on these habits and desires. Now think about people who are struggling to make it but can barely afford a meal.

Ok, maybe I'm trying to make you feel a little guilty. =D

Besides donating to those tear-jerker commercial charities showing hungry children, how else can you make a difference? And a difference that keeps giving?

Kiva lets you LEND money to the working poor in 59 countries across the globe so they may improve their lives. These microloans do not guarantee repayment, however their website boasts a 98.79% repayment rate.

How does it work?

1. Sign up and view those needing loans; you can select country, gender, business type, etc. if desired.
2. You choose the person or group you want to lend money to, as well as the amount (minimum $25).
3. They pay you back.

And 4. You can lend that money again! Just pick another needy individual/group and so on! (Once paid back, you can also choose to withdraw your money if you choose.)

The best part of this non-profit is 100% of your money is used toward funding loans. They dont take any of your deposit for admin fees.

My last loan was paid back before the due date and the current one is almost paid in full. I've had 100% success so far, and even if I did lose all or some of the amount I deposited, it would be no different than making a charitable contribution. The only difference is this one keeps giving each time it is repaid. My goal is to have my money travel the whole world, even if its only a few dollars in a few pockets at a time.

It's Christmas eve, the forest in back is covered with a hard rime. It gets foggy at night, and in the chill crystals form. It's stunning.

I need to get to wrapping these presents. I need to get out of these pajamas. I need another cup of coffee.

I am Uncle Santa. My brother is used to it, and over the years he's come to tolerate this annual demonstration of largess. He teaches the kids the value of thrift 363 days of the year. Twice Uncle trumps thrift.

To balance, this year E will have something a little different in her stocking. It's thin in physical appearance but oh so not once opened and undertaken. I have for her an account with Kiva.

As is described better in their own words (go to the site to learn the details), Kiva is an organization that facilitates micro-lending, with the lendee an entrepreneur, often individual, usually in a developing country. Kiva bridges a credit-gap, allowing access to funding otherwise completely unavailable to those on the lower rungs of the economic ladder. World Bank funds typically flow only into the pockets of the connected and powerful; these individuals are neither. But perhaps what they lack in connection is made up for by other attributes.

That's the hope, anyway, and Kiva gives those of us fortunate enough to have discretionary resources the opportunity to put them to a better purpose. E is 13. Her Dad has a bent for numbers and investing. I'm hoping this is a project they'll undertake together, leveraging the benefits of my modest contribution many-fold.

Thanks, Kiva, for what I hope will be the best thrice-given Christmas present ever.

One of the most effective microfinance-related organizations out there! Kiva's website is so well organized and nicely structured. All you do is sign up as a member, donate $25 to the group or individual of your choice... and wait to see how that money is used. Kiva will send you regular updates on how your loan is being put to use, and whenever it gets repaid you will get emails on that too. I've been loaning for a few years now and never once regretted it.

You have nothing to lose by contributing! Loan to one person, loan to many... it's your choice. You lend $25... and once you get that $25 back you can lend it out again. Don't eat out for a day or two and you'll have the $25 you need to loan. You lose nothing (except you get no interest). What a great way to help the poorest of the poor!!!

It is a way of feeling like you're making a difference, of doing so in a way that encourages economic activity which ultimately will provide more employment to support the economy. I also think that there's really a benefit, though, of just engaging with the rest of the world and of seeing who you are helping - Nicholas Kristof

I've been supporting Kiva for several years ever since I read one of Kristof's columns about the organization in the NY Times. It is another example, like Mercy Corps or the UN's Nothing But Nets campaign, where modern technology makes it so easy to make a difference worldwide. And the cool thing about Kiva is how easy it is to roll over your loan payments into new loans. I'm up to 125 loans and counting.

And for a limited time, Kiva is teaming up with LHJ to offer free loans with a friends and family link. A lot of Yelpers have become good friends of mine so here you go:

http://www.kiva.org/ladieshomejournal

Even if all the free trials are claimed, start doing loans at Kiva! It is fun and you make a difference. Not by giving a handout, but, by supporting a fledging business.

And for those of you who want to support US causes, Kiva does do loans in the US. Another organization that is great, supporting teachers in low-income communities, is Donors Choose at http://www.donorschoose.org/

Be different...choose to make a difference!

This is one of my favorite donation sites. I've been to so many under develop countries that really needs help. This is about hand up, not hand out.
I love that micro-lending such as Kiva exist and those who are living in poverty need to know that there is a BIG humanity out there that really cares. So the more we can loan through Kiva, the better.
I just wished that Kiva would expand the loans to entrepeneurs in the United States.

Want to feel good about doing something great for others?! Then go to www.kiva.org.

What's Kiva you ask? Well it's an awesome site that allows you to make provide loans to others in developing countries to build their own business etc. to help them support their families etc.

I just made my first loan to a woman in the Phiilppines (my parents home land) and I feel great about it! Do it now I tell you and you won't regret it I tell you! Awesome sight and a great way to make a difference in this wonderful world of ours. I love it!

They are funny, look what i get from them, trying to get more money out of me, this is embarissing.
"We are happy to issue a refund if you are not able to contribute $5 more for a loan purchase."

SCAM ALERT!! I sponsored a friend who was trying to get a loan through this joke of a company. When the loan didn't go through, my friend called me and told me to request the money I put up be transferred back to me. I requested to withdraw the funds, and NEVER RECEIVED MY MONEY BACK. I've sent multiple detailed emails and called and left countless messages, and have gotten no response in over 6 freaking months. You can't get an actual person on the phone, customer service is non-existent!!! STAY AWAY!!