The Non-profit that keeps on giving

Finally a non-profit with a unique marketing vision to help others!
“Kiva is the world’s first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs in the developing world.”
Through Kiva, their partners (existing expert microfinance institutions) upload their entrepreneur profiles directly to the site so individuals can lend to them.

I found Kiva by reading an email article I received from PINK Magazine.
The story was so compelling I decided to visit Kiva.org to see for myself.
After just a few minutes on their site I was driven to act.
The following is the account of how simple it was to give.

There are many possible well deserving entrepreneurs to select from.

I selected an individual named Christiana Chukwu, from Nigeria.
The following is her story:

Christiana Chukwu, 50 years old and married with seven children, lives in Benin City with her family. She has sold provisions and a local gin called Ogogoro for several years, and now hopes to expand her business through a loan to purchase more provisions and gin to sell. Christiana says a big thank you to all Kiva lenders.
Loan request: $600.00
Repayment Term: 8 months
Loan Use: To purchase more local gin and provisions to sell

Within minutes I donated a small amount ad a day later I returned to the site and realized that she had received the full amount from additional loans.

Within a few weeks I received a surprising email stating that 85 percent of the loan had already been paid!
Well the story does not end there. The best part is that Kiva gives you the option to relend that money to another person in need or get your money back.
I’m sure you can guess what most people do.
So in the spirit of Christmas if, you are thinking of a unique gift to give a loved one, visit Kiva.org and send them a gift certificate. It will be the only gift that keeps on giving.

Happy Holidays!

Jennie Quimbita