It’s taken us nearly a month to follow through (I’ve just completely forgotten) with one of the coolest Christmas presents Chel and I have ever gotten. Chel’s brother gave us two gift certificates of $25.00 each for KIVA. Kiva is ets you connect with and loan money to unique small businesses in the developing world. By choosing a business on Kiva.org, you can “sponsor a business” and help 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. Typically, people reinvest the repaid funds back into another business. They have better rates of returns than most banks in the US.
We finally followed through and we’ve got a business in Peru and one in Tanzania that we redeemed the gift certificates for. Chel’s brother and his wife try to make one $25.00 loan a week. Can you imagine what kind of a difference that can make in developing nations? We may end up doing this right along with the missions money we give. I’d like to see such a high level of information given for missions sites. It would be nice to know what happens along the way. Just a thought…
mjd
Filed under: Recommended | Tagged: Kiva
That is the coolest thing I have ever heard of. What an incredible opportunity I have ever heard. What a blessing to the people you help. Way to go Chels brother, the gift that keeps on giving. Love ya …D.
I think Brent and I are going to do this…its really a nice thing.