Another proven tactic for providing opportunities to disadvantaged people groups throughout the world is through micro-lending. As a form of peer-to-peer financing, micro-loans are extended to impoverished borrowers who typically lack collateral, steady employment, or a verifiable credit history.
WIKI: “Many recipients are illiterate, and therefore unable to complete paperwork required to get conventional loans. As of 2009 an estimated 74 million people held microloans that totaled US$38 billion. Grameen Bank reports that repayment success rates are between 95 and 98 percent.”
One of the most popular, trusted sources of micro-lending is Kiva.org. The wonderful thing about donating, aka lending through Kiva, is that when your loan is paid back, the principal is recyclable to another recipient. In this way your “gift” keeps on giving.
Here’s how it works:
- Choose a borrower – Browse by category and find an entrepreneur to support
- Make a loan – Help fund a loan with as little as $25
- Get repaid – Kiva borrowers have a 96% repayment rate historically
- Repeat – Relend your money or withdraw your funds
Here’s the recipient I chose. A loan helps a member to buy four goats
Give. Pray. Post. 