kiva.org

[Garnet]

I've seen kiva.org in signature lines here and in other places. I thought folks might be interested in this article on CNN today:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/04/03/microfinance/index.html

[RBH]

I've seen kiva.org in signature lines here and in other places. I thought folks might be interested in this article on CNN today:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/04/03/microfinance/index.htmlOur first round of Kiva loans are all in repayment, all on schedule, with 11% to 50% repaid across loans. The response to Kiva has been so great that they've been limiting loans to $25/investor/entrepreneur. That makes it real easy to create a very diversified portfolio of loans. We have this distribution of loans:Gender
Male 25.0% Female 75.0%

Country
Indonesia 8.3%
Mexico 8.3%
Nigeria 8.3%
Uganda 8.3%
Azerbaijan 16.7%
Pakistan 16.7%
Peru 33.3%

Sector
Clothing 7.1%
Food 7.1%
Health 7.1%
Services 7.1%
Arts 14.3%
Retail 14.3%
Agriculture 21.4%
Transportation 21.4%The numbers look a little weird (e.g., 7.1% vs. 8.3%) because several of the loans are to small groups of entrepreneurs (typically 3 to 5 women) that have varied endeavours within the group.

While it's not shown on one's loan portfolio summary page, we've also diversified across relative risk, where the risk is mainly associated with the local micro-lending institution that actually makes the loan. Some are well established, provide support services (e.g., job training) for their clients, and have a record one can depend on; others are just getting started and are more of a risk.

It's one way for those of us of the non-religious persuasion to put our money in support of real people in a fruitful and empowering way. Kiva home page (http://www.kiva.org/app.php).

[kazzaqld]

I have a little kiva loan - I'll be doing more soon though, it was very easy, you can pay through PayPal.

I like it, I like seeing where my money is going and feeling that I can help so directly. I also sponsor a child in Haiti through World Vision.