Changing the world, one loan at a time
I have to admit that nothing very exciting has been happening for me over the latter part of this year. I am very keen to get back overseas, and I’m determined to move back into the Humanitarian Sector, but I’m not 100% sure just what that looks like yet. I will be travelling to the UK and to France over the New Year, and then back to Perth, and then I need to make some firm decisions for the next year. I am going to apply to get into an MBA program in Perth - however I never did finish my bachelor’s degree so there’s a good chance they’ll knock me back without a thought - that being the case I think I’ll choof off with MSF again.
One thing I am very interested in (just had a good convo with dad about it) is microfinance, and I think I might base any studies I do along that line. I’m not sure how many people actually know about microfinance, but the concept is about making small loans to the poverty-stricken in developing nations. The loans are so small that the banks are not interested - but they can mean the difference between life and death to the workers - and give them the opportunity to make a life for themselves and their families.
I often hear that people are not willing to give to some of the big aid organisations as they are not sure where their money is going. Why not consider lending US$25 to a small entrepreneur in a developing country?
So now I’m going to give a plug for an organisation called Kiva.
You can go to Kiva’s website and lend to someone in the developing world who needs a loan for their business - like raising goats, selling vegetables at market or making bricks. Each loan has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent - and you get updates letting you know how the business is going. The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back - and Kiva’s loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly.
It’s finally easy to actually do something about poverty - using Kiva you will know exactly who your money is loaned to and what they’re using it for. And most of all, you know that you’re helping them build a sustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after your loan is paid back.
You can help to change the world - one loan at a time.
Okay that’s the end of my plug - you can go back to sleep now….
