KIVA

I remember my friend talking about Kiva a year ago and I never really thought about it much after that. But after stumbling upon it again in this morning's Boston Metro, it compelled me to learn more about it. Its mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty. It basically partners up with microfinance institutions all over the world to search for high potential entrepreneurs whose pure setback is money. This is where the lenders come into play (not government institutions or huge corporations, but people like you and me). You can go onto their website and browse through different profiles of entrepreneurs and offer them a loan starting at as low as $25. Borrowers repay their debt through local microfinance organizations and they can repay the money loaned to them with zero interest. It seems a bit skeptical to fork over your money to a start-up entrepreneur thousands of miles away, but the risk is not as high as expected - 98% of loans are repaid. Kiva also creates a more personal experience via Internet by featuring photos of the borrowers on their profiles. It always helps to put a face to a name. So far, $66 M has been lent to entrepreneurs in 44 different countries. I think the best part about this organization is that it is not just another non-profit organization where you donate to, NOT knowing where the money goes and wondering if it actually makes it to the end receiver who you actually want to give it to. I think it offers a better, long-term solution: one that offers more than just an opportunity, but a lifestyle change and hope for a brighter future.