With Blog Action Day today helping to raise awareness about poverty around the world, I wanted to write about more microloans that can help secure a better future for many people around the globe and help fight hunger — which in this day and age should not be killing as many as it does. Once such organization, Kiva (our Tonic staff who deals with the causes we support is also named Kiva), has as its goal is to “connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty.”
The Kiva site allows you to invest money in entrepreneurs in need around the globe which can all be found on its website. Once an entrepreneur is identified, Kiva allows you to lend money to that person via credit card or the PayPal system, which makes it easy for everyone. The money is then distributed to microfinance partners worldwide to allow them to pass on your loan to the person you choose.
In addition to giving the money to the entrepreneur, Kiva also provides training and help to maximize the entrepreneur’s success. Over time, the loan is paid back to the lender and all deposits, updates and information about the business is displayed on the Kiva website for you to keep an eye on your money.
Unlike our current banking systems, you will get your money back and you will have created a business that will help solve poverty and provide a new source of income for an individual or family that needs it the most. Kiva has many partners from Facebook to Starbuck’s and you can read about some of the businesses it has created here. Also visit the Blog Action Day and help our voice be heard.