Be a microlender. Make a Kiva loan

David Traver

I just made a loan to someone in the developing world using a revolutionary new website called Kiva http://kiva.org

You can go to Kiva's website and lend to someone in the developing world who needs a loan for their business - like raising goats, selling vegetables at market or making bricks. Each loan has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent - and you get updates letting you know how the entrepreneur is going.

The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back - and Kiva's loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly.

I just made a loan to an entrepreneur named Aracely Maribel Aguilar Zacarias in Guatemala. They still need another $925.00 to complete their loan request of $1,200.00 (you can loan as little as $25.00!). Help me get this entrepreneur off the ground by clicking on the link below to make a loan to Aracely Maribel Aguilar Zacarias too:

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=60078

It's finally easy to actually do something about poverty - using Kiva I know exactly who my money is loaned to and what they're using it for. And most of all, I know that I'm helping them build axcsustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after my loan is paid back.

Join me in changing the world - one loan at a time.

Thanks!

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What others are saying about www.Kiva.org:

'Revolutionising how donors and lenders in the US are connecting with small entrepreneurs in developing countries.'
-- BBC

'If you've got 25 bucks, a PC and a PayPal account, you've now got the wherewithal to be an international financier.'
-- CNN Money

'Smaller investors can make loans of as little as $25 to specific individual entrepreneurs through a service launched last fall by Kiva.org.'
-- The Wall Street Journal

'An inexpensive feel-good investment opportunity...All loaned funds go directly to the applicants, and most loans are repaid in full.'
-- Entrepreneur Magazine

(That's a suggested canned e-mail that I could have sent out to my e-mail address book after making the loan, but I opted to post it here. -- Dave)

Sandy Fambrough · Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 219 Location: Orlando, FL

I gave gift certificates at Christmas to family members. Each person was able to choose the person to receive the loan and as the loans are repaid, additional loans can be made. It is truly a gift that keeps giving.

LoopLaw · Joined: 11 Jul 2007 Posts: 16 Location: Missouri

I am a big fan of Kiva. It is much more than a one-time donation to charity. You can track the progress of the loans and loan the money again once you are repaid. I am astonished by the extremely high repayment rates. I recommend giving it a try - and it makes a great gift!

David Traver · Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 09:36 pm Post subject:

You are right about the payback rate. Check out my lender page:

http://www.kiva.org/lender/david90407161

This is one of the typical partners that administers the loans locally. In this example, in Paraguay:
http://www.kiva.org/about/aboutPartner?id=58