Yoga in Action: $25.00 to (help) change the world
I am a big believer in giving back locally and globally in whatever ways speak to me, especially after I spent many years feeling paralyzed by the amount of suffering in the world that could use my attention. In any case, one of the concepts that has really grabbed me is Microfinance. From what I’ve read, it is one of the most effective ways to empower poverty stricken areas around the world to create independence.
Every holiday season, I look for an organization to give some money to. This year I was ecstatic to find the organization, Kiva. Here is what their website says, “Kiva lets 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.”
Is this not the coolest idea? When I was searching around for ways to volunteer my time, I really wanted to find a microfinance organization that could use my business skills. I couldn’t find a way to volunteer my time virtually in microfinance, however, I am so excited to be able to give some of my money to Kiva! I love the fact that I can follow the project and see the direct results of my contribution, and, when the money is paid back, I can just reinvest it in another project! Brilliant!
If you have any interest in supporting this work, please go to Kiva and sign up today!
December 18th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
Nice idea! Thanks for sharing!
January 2nd, 2008 at 1:55 pm
I love Kiva! My husband has them on auto pay and we give to them every month. He is always talking about who we lent to and how amazing it is that they pay us back so quickly. We then just re invest it in someone else. It is actually quite fun!