Tuesday, August 2, 2011

KIVA: Pay It Forward

My cousin Lise introduced me to KIVA, an international pay-it-forward opportunity.    KIVA is a

non-profit 501(c)(3)  organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the internet and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world in 59 different countries. Learn more about how it works.

 

Since Kiva was founded in 2005:

602,675 Kiva lenders

$232 million in loans

98.79% Repayment rate

More metrics and stats >

 

I've made two $25.00 loans.  Well, actually, I made one $25.00 loan for an agricultural project in Ecuador.  That was repaid in full, so I reinvested it by making another loan to a 52-year-old widow who lives in a yurt in Mongolia and sells used clothing.  (You can pick your projects.)

 

From now until August 13, KIVA is sponsoring 4,000 "free" $25.00 loans.  If you use this link, and you are one of the first 4,000 to sign up, a $25.00 loan will be made in your name, and you don't have to pay a dime.  You'll see how "your" loan is used, and you'll be notified of your loan recipient's progress.

Here is a link that will tell you more about it:

http://kiva.org/invitedby/leann2618

 

Here's a video link from ABC News:  http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=7801871

 

TTFN

LeAnn aka pasqueflower

http://pasqueflowerponderings.blogspot.com

http://www.etsy.com/shop/pasqueflower

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pasque-Flower-Creations/240542392623600

 

6 comments:

  1. I've recently heard about this and love the idea! Thanks so much for sharing;)

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  2. Terrific! I'll check it out now.

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  3. KIVA is such a great idea--I've heard such good things about it!

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  4. I love this. I believe my sister has done this several times. I'll have to take a look. Thanks LeAnn!

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  5. Good for you for contributing!! There are three different organizations that I've thought about getting involved with: Kiva is one, Women for Women, and Heifer International. I'm not in the position to get involved right now, but definitely in the future and maybe even through my shop.

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  6. Yes, Kiva is such an amazing org! How $25 can help someone secure a future is just fantastic!

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