Microlending With Kiva.org

Due to the nature of our jobs, my husband and I travel around the world quite a bit. Our favorite part of any trip is getting to know the people that make each destination unique. Visiting lesser developed nations has taught us just how lucky we are to live and work in the United States.

After visiting Africa, we decided we wanted to help citizens on that continent improve their situations in life. We researched many different organizations and found microlender Kiva.org. This nonprofit group allows you to review various loan applications from entrepreneurs all over the world before selecting exactly who you wish to help.

You can search by region (North America, Central America, South America, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Asia), by gender of the entrepreneur, and by industry sector.

Each loan request is also rated according to the likelyhood of succesful repayment. (See the Field Partner Risk rating on each loan listing for more information.)

Once you decide on a project, you lend money in $25 increments. (Your initial loan must be at least $25.) Kiva will then keep you up to date on the progress of the entrepreneur and his/her payback schedule. Once the loan is paid back in full, your $25 is returned to your Kiva account where you can withdraw it or reinvest it by offering a second microloan.

This lending method truly empowers the population to start or improve a business and this strenghtens the community.

We all want to be independent but sometimes need a little help getting started. My husband and I have found Kiva.org to be an excellent way to assist others.

We currently have microloans out to individuals in the following countries:

• Azerbaijan
• Cambodia
• Moldova
• Mongolia
• Peru
• Samoa
• Senegal
• Sierra Leone

If you haven't visited Kiva.org's website before, check it out today. They're doing great work around the world, including in the United States, and you can be part of it.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

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