What does $25 mean to you? A dinner out with friends? A half a tank of gas? Most likely, it's something small that you take for granted. And even if you really appreciate the value, it's probably not going to be the turning point in your life.
Now imagine that your $25 could be the turning point for someone else. It could be the difference between bankruptcy and a thriving business. It could mean a positive future for an entire family. That's where Kiva.org comes in. Kiva users can select a small business in a developing country to support through a short-term microloan. Loans from individuals, starting at $25, are combined to meet the requests of the business owners. Once the loans are repaid in their entirety, you can either loan the money to someone else, or withdraw it from your Kiva account.
Since Kiva allows you to loan such a small amount, and since you can choose the business you'd like to support, this is a nice way for families or groups to take on a charitable activity together. It's also an opportunity to learn about other cultures, finances and economic stability.
Before loaning your money, please read the details at Kiva.org. Although the repayment rate is at 99.7% (according to their website), there is still a chance that you could lose your money.
Related Links: