Google
 

Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Sponsor a business.

Last year's post on microloans is one of my most popular. Now Kiva offers a new way to make a microloan. When you fund a microloan through Kiva, you get your money back:

"Kiva lets you connect with and loan money to unique small businesses in the developing world. By choosing a business on our website and then lending money online to that enterprise, 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 monthly email updates that let you know about the progress being made by the small business you've sponsored. These updates include reports on loan repayment progress, photos of new capital equipment, narratives on business growth and standard of living improvements, and more. As loans are repaid, you will get your original loan money back."

Your money will go far in the countries where Kiva works, so it's easy to make a big difference in a family's life with a relatively small amount of money. You can start with as little as $25. The money is used to start a small business, like a barber shop, vegetable stand, restaurant or cell phone rental. Such business create a sustainable change in the family economy and allow the family be economically independent. Funding a microloan is just one more step toward economic justice.

You could even fund this person:


The International Year of Microcredit is almost over. So check out Kiva or another microcredit agency today!

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." - Norman MacEwan

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I wish to open a business, lending business or a retail shop. However, I do not have the money to start, thus looking for a sponsor to help me start.,

Karama said...

Hello anon, there are lots of options aviailable. Accion is one place to start. I wish you all the best.

Karama said...

I just made my first two Kiva loans! What a great way to celebrate Thanksgiving!

Hopefully a Alberto José Cumaio and his shoe stand in Mozambique and Fatmata Kamara and her general store in Sierra Leone will both have great success. God bless you both and your families.

I also added the Kiva photo link to the original post. Enjoy!

Karama said...

BTW, Kiva gift certificates make great gifts!

Karama said...

This just in . . .

Dear Karama Neal,

We are very pleased to notify you that your loan to Alberto José Cumaio has been fully repaid in the amount of $825.00. The payment was
collected and deposited by FDM (Fundo De Desenvolvimento Mulher).

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=24887

The funds from this repayment will be deposited in your Kiva account as "Available Kiva Credit" in the next 2 to 3 days. At that time, you can re-lend these funds to a new entrepreneur, withdraw them into a PayPal account or you can donate them to Kiva's operational expenses. For further instructions regarding any of these processes, please visit our help center: http://www.kiva.org/about/help.



Too cool! My first loan has been repaid. And my $25 is already reinvested!

Karama said...

And if you need business cards, check out VistaPrint. They have very nice cards for FREE. I use them myself!

MySpace Design said...

Great blog you got here!

Anonymous said...

i also wish to open an online business but i dont have the money to start, any sponsor you know to help me start?