Today I decided to write about Kiva, I received an email telling me the loan I had made to Teodora Marcela last October had been repaid. Teodora Marcela had requested a loan to buy supplies for the General Store in Tarma, Peru

I will share my joy at discovering Kiva last year.

Kiva’s mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty.

Kiva is the world’s first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs in the developing world.

I first became aware of how micro-lending empowers people. Muhammad Yunos who established the Grameen Bank, inspired me when I first read about the women in Bangladesh who are given small loans to establish a business. Their success stories are amazing. This story is well worth reading Banker to the Poor: The Autobiography of Muhammad Yunus, Founder of Grameen Bank.

Kiva follows these principles of Microfinance and and there is more information on the Kiva Site. Kiva lets you connect with and loan money to unique small businesses in the developing world. By choosing a business on Kiva.org, you can “sponsor a business” and help the world’s working poor make great strides towards economic independence. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates from the business you’ve sponsored. As loans are repaid, you get your loan money back..

The variety of projects inspired me and I am happy I have found a new organization that I can directly support. It is amazing how such a small amount can make a large change to so many.

I have now given my loan to Christiana Owusuaa, from Koforidua, Ghana, who now needs just $25 to receive her total loan. I chose Christiana, as I had wanted to support someone in the textile area and I once many years ago went to Ghana.

Maybe one of you can lend Christiana the $25 to achieve her goal. This will help her purchase fabric to make school clothes. With this loan, she plans to increase savings to enable her continue to pay for her 2 children’s education.

There are hundreds of people wanting to move towards freedom, if you feel drawn to help go to this the kiva site,

There are entrepreneurs wanting loans for such a variety of businesses from fish selling, taxi driver, clothing, jewellery, transport services and more.

What I find fantastic is now there are so many entrepreneurs, individuals and groups wanting a better life . I am now going to have a goal of adding $ 25 to my account each month to help another budding entrepreneur on their path to success.

Please join me? Such a small amount makes such a big difference:)