travelwriter

KIVA is an amazing organization that provides micro-lending to people in need.  Last year alone, KIVA loaned over $50 million through the generosity of its members.

If you’re not familiar with it, the concept of micro-lending is simple.  It’s the extension of very small loans to unemployed or poor entrepreneurs who are not considered to be bankable.  The entrepreneurs can ask for any amount of money, on average it’s about $600, and it’s funded in $25 increments by lenders in 50 countries.

Lend money to fix a taxi in Honduras, stock a pharmacy in Tanzania, or to help purchase a delivery motorcycle for a food market in Cambodia.  To lenders, Kiva is a great way to help those in need; to borrowers, it can be life changing.

To date, KIVA has over 370,000 lenders providing loans to people in 185 countries with a 98% repayment rate.  Kiva has raised over $77,000,000 since its conception only 44 months ago.  KIVA - Loans that change Lives.

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