Today, I made my first Kiva loan. Kiva is an organization that connects people in developing countries with loans to do whatever they want- whether it's jumpstarting their family business, buying solar energy for their home, or paying tuition for a trade school or university.
My cousin, Anuranjita, gave me a Kiva gift card this past Christmas and, almost one year later, I finally got around to giving my first loan. I lent $25 to Marivic, a 37 year old Filipino farmer who needs to purchase fertilizers and other supplies for her rice farm. The other loan recipient is Beatrice, in Kenya, who is using her loan to purchase a 5,000 liter clean water tank for her local community.
I'm satisfied to know that I've helped jumpstart Marivic and Beatrice's goals and made a difference in their lives. For me, the coolest thing about Kiva, and other microfinance projects, is that they aren't charities. Eventually, I will get my money back and use it to make another micro-loan to finance other projects. This is a sustainable way of promoting economic development in areas where individuals have little access to banks or loans.
I am thankful for Anuranjita for giving me the gift of participating in our intimate, global economy.
My cousin, Anuranjita, gave me a Kiva gift card this past Christmas and, almost one year later, I finally got around to giving my first loan. I lent $25 to Marivic, a 37 year old Filipino farmer who needs to purchase fertilizers and other supplies for her rice farm. The other loan recipient is Beatrice, in Kenya, who is using her loan to purchase a 5,000 liter clean water tank for her local community.
I'm satisfied to know that I've helped jumpstart Marivic and Beatrice's goals and made a difference in their lives. For me, the coolest thing about Kiva, and other microfinance projects, is that they aren't charities. Eventually, I will get my money back and use it to make another micro-loan to finance other projects. This is a sustainable way of promoting economic development in areas where individuals have little access to banks or loans.
I am thankful for Anuranjita for giving me the gift of participating in our intimate, global economy.