Search the Community

A few years ago I started making loans through the micro lending site kiva.org. I figured it was a way to make a difference in someone's life in a developing country that didn't use state violence. If you aren't familiar with the concept, lenders make small loans ($25) to people worldwide. The loans are pooled and entrepreneurs and small business people get loans to improve store, buy inventory, buy livestock, fertilizer, etc. Kiva.org acts as a resource to connect the lenders to the micro loan groups working in different countries. The micro loan groups act like banks except the money isn't conjured out of thin air. Kiva takes donations but otherwise doesn't make a profit on the loans, neither do us lenders. But as the loans are repaid, you can withdraw your money or re-lend it. I always re-lend it and donate a little to Kiva each month. It isn't much but I get the satisfaction that I helped someone less fortunate than myself. Kiva.org has lending teams/groups where the team can support each other, etc. I started a Free Domain Radio team (actually I renamed a team I had started and was the only member of). Recently had someone else join and remembered that I never mentioned it in this board. I invite other FRD board members to join: http://www.kiva.org/invitedto/free_domain_radio/by/stephenayer I'd also like to hear your thoughts on the value of micro lending in building a free society. peace Stephen