I supported Phoebe Ikhiuwu from Benin City in Nigeria who started a small business as a wrapper, a lady who sells traditional women's clothes. And since I was just planning to move to Africa at that point and was totally in love with West African fabrics this woman was just the perfect fit for me to support her.
So now I thought let me check up on her and see what became of her loan and her business. Well, to my surprise (or not really surprise but happiness) I see that she totally paid back her loan and is in full business!! How great is that!! See this link here and you can see for yourself! You even see a picture of me as one of the 25 lenders!
So I can use my money again to support another great project and I am looking around, seeing which one comes again close to my heart. I really like this KIVA organisation, they are just doing amazing work... follow up, you can keep track even after 2 1/2 years that I checked the info is still there!!
So if you like to support somebody for the Holiday Season, isn't this the GREATEST opportunity??
Check it out and I am sure you will fall in love with one entrepreneur that is trying so hard to better her/his life, go and click here to go directly to Kiva's website and help her/him. It is for such a good cause!!
About Kiva
Kiva's mission is to connect people, through lending, for the sake of alleviating poverty.
Kiva empowers individuals to lend to an entrepreneur across the globe. By combining microfinance with the internet, Kiva is creating a global community of people connected through lending.
Kiva was born of the following beliefs:
People are by nature generous, and will help others if given the opportunity to do so in a transparent, accountable way.
The poor are highly motivated and can be very successful when given an opportunity.
By connecting people we can create relationships beyond financial transactions, and build a global community expressing support and encouragement of one another.
Kiva promotes:
Dignity: Kiva encourages partnership relationships as opposed to benefactor relationships. Partnership relationships are characterized by mutual dignity and respect.
Accountability: Loans encourage more accountability than donations where repayment is not expected.
Transparency: The Kiva website is an open platform where communication can flow freely around the world.
As of November 2009, Kiva has facilitated over $100 million in loans.
Go to KIVA and become a lender, it will make your day!! As small as $25 you can start giving, and it comes back! That's the beauty of it all!! I will keep you updated on my next entrepreneur that can count on MY support!
Have a great day y'all!
Mireille
3 comments:
We love Kiva! It's such a great program. I have been meaning to set up a world map on a cork board so that as we sponsor new entrepreneurs, we can mark them with pins and the boys can see where we're helping people.
Robin
LOVE this charity. I have done this too with a couple loans and then when it's paid back re-loaned to help others. It's such a great concept and great way of helping others get on their feet!
That is such a great idea Robin!! I am going to look for that too... I heard Ikea has a huge world map... unfortunately NO Ikea in South Africa!
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