Kiva is essentially a charity, but it doesn't work by donations. It took me a long time to get my head around how it works. I must say, the info on the website can be COMPLETELY confusing as well. Sooo... here's my simplified version.
People in developing countries need a hand. They ask for a loan - perhaps to buy seeds. Ordinary people like us lend the money. The needy people buy their seeds, grow them, then sell the grain for a profit. Then those people repay the money. Next, we cheer that we got to help someone - for FREE. Sound good?
Kiva, of course, is the site that manages all these loans and repayments, along with "field partners" who meet the borrowers and choose who needs the loans. It is *crazy* exciting to see it being paid back. It's a feelgood you don't get by donating to most charities - because with Kiva you actually get to see what the person did with the loan. And your money has helped someone for free, AND you can then loan it again, to someone else.
Here's a pic of who I loaned to.
This group of ladies is from Ecuador. They all have different reasons for wanting the loan, but here's a couple of examples: one is a single mother studying to become a surgeon, who sells Avon to help support herself. The loan money is helping with her university costs. Another one is a married mum of 4 who is using the money to buy pigs to raise. She hopes raising pigs will one day help her buy a car.
Along with another 106 people, I put in my $25 loan three months ago, and they group have paid back $15.50 so far in regular repayments. What's more, if any of these woman can't pay back their share, all the others in the group step in to pay it back. That's the part that made me confident to go ahead with my loan.
It really isn't a huge amount of money to those of us with a roof over our heads. Not much at all. It would be a lot to donate to a regular charity I suppose - but I would never see that cash again, and probably never know if it really helped anyone. And I certainly couldn't donate it over and over again either. This is why I love Kiva. It will only be a few more weeks until I have the entire $25 back and then I can choose another person to help. Or, if I didn't want that, I could even withdraw it back into my PayPal. it cost me nothing, right? *shrug* But... I am just ITCHING to see the rest come back so I can choose who to loan to next. It's more fun than shopping. Go and have a look.
PS. The Finnish word "kiva" means something's good or nice.
So a lot of people know about The Hunger Site but there's also another one with a twist. The seriously awesome Cora reminded me about this pearler. Free Rice lets you learn new words as you give. And it's addicting. Also, it's an ego test of sorts, because just when I start getting a bit full of myself and start shaking my own hand, patting myself on the back etc, I get one totally and utterly wrong.
1. Hot Chocolate or Egg Nog? Hot chocolate. I'm not sure I've even had proper eggnog, nor whether I liked it.2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Santa never wrapped mine, but he did wrap some at our house, because at some peoples' houses he wrapped them all.3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Coloured, our tree is fibreoptic and twinkles. We have white stencil lights for the windows.4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope. Mum had a tiny wreath she used to hang over the doorway, but I'm not sure that counts.5. When do you put your decorations up? Um... when I get in the mood. I'm not yet.6. What is your favorite holiday dish? All of it! Mum's trifle, K's salad and G's potatoes have to be highlights though.7. Favorite Holiday memory? Probably laughing my butt off as assorted cousins threw tantrums or yelled about not liking their presents.8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Probably about 8 or 99. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Nope, but that won't last long, since I'm moving to a country where Santa comes on Christmas Eve.10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Tinsel garlands, baubles. And a few other small things11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love how it looks, dread it. In Australia, this question has nothing to do with Christmas.12. Can you ice skate? Badly. Also see above.13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Yes, a Snoopy Tennis Game&Watch14. What’s the most important thing? A relaxing and peaceful day in good company.15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Mum's trifle16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? The 2pm sleep / or the 3pm "stuff face with leftover food"17. What tops your tree? A star18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Giving.19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? O Holy Night20. Candy canes, Yuck or Yum? I'm hopelessly addicted to canes.and I'm adding my own question21. Is there any tradition that you personally have started for your family? Yes... I always make a donation to the Salvation Army. Then I send an email to let people know that I have made a donation for them all instead of sending cards. (A friend in Seattle put me on to this idea and I loved it.) When I lived in the city I also used to run a collection of non-perishable food to give to a local community centre.with thanks to Scalpel, who didn't tag me, but whose blog is interesting.http://scalpelorsword.blogspot.com/~ Elisa
