Kiva: Loans That Change Lives!

Micro-credit is a really innovative way for large population groups to find ways in which to break out of poverty. This in turn advances democracy and human rights. Micro-credit is basically tiny loans, most of them under $1500, that are lent to people in third world counties to start or grow their business, and then repaid.

Muhammad Yunus, of the Grameen Bank, did exactly this. He wrote a book about it called “Banker to the Poor”. His long-term vision is to eliminate poverity in the world. Of course, it cannot be realized with micro-credit alone. But this is a major part of the equation. For his efforts, which single-handedly lifted entire regions out of poverty by empowering them to help themselves, Mr. Yunus won the Nobel Peace Prize for 2006.

You too can get involved!

Kiva.org is a website that helps you to do just that. Simply create a lender profile and start lending money to those in need all around the world, all from the comfort of your own home! You can read profiles of people who need loans, and also profiles of those who are already lending money. While there is no guarantee of return, the repayment rate is very high (almost 100%), with repayment usually within one year.

January Project will keep adding a percentage of our profits to an ever-growing, revolving fund that keeps re-lending any repaid amounts and new funds. Our goal is to reach $10,000 for the fund! You can do the same for as little as $25. All you need is a giving heart and a paypal account.

Here are some of the borrowers Kiva helps, including their inspiring stories: