After I got off the phone with my mama today I was feeling particularly blessed. As I embark on this journey of growing a small business I am quite aware of how lucky I am, and how well supported. Thinking about that today I was inspired to go help someone else.
I went to Kiva.org and made a small business loan to a woman in Sierra Leone. She has 5 kids and is trying to grow a peanut roasting and goat farming business to help support them. For those of you who aren't familiar with Kiva, it is a website that matches folks in third world countries trying to start small businesses with people willing to invest in them. For a minimum donation of $25 you can offer someone a chance to support their family. You can't beat that with a stick. They work with small business lenders in the country the business is located in, so my loan will be filtered through the Salone Microfinance Trust, located in Sierra Leone, to make sure the money gets to where it is supposed to go and collected when it is supposed to be collected. They have a repayment rate somewhere over 98%. My particular loan is due in 8 months and then I have the option of pulling my money back out or loaning it to someone else.
So if you have an extra $25 laying around and believe in belonging to an international community, go check it out. I know it is always a little risky sending money out into the world, through the innards of the internet, but this is an organization I really believe in. As I grow I hope I can take a few other people with me! I'll be posting updates on how Mariama and her goats and peanuts are doing over the next 8 months and hopefully some of you will hop on board with me!
Amy's Last Day of Work Countdown: 1 day!!!!!
4 comments:
Wow, that's cool. I think microlending is a fantastic concept, and I've known about organizations like FINCA for years, but I didn't realize there were ones that directly matched individuals. Thanks for the tip!
While you are going through life thinking that you are teaching and guiding your children, ever notice how much they end up teaching you instead? They will teach you more than you can ever imagine! Go forth and listen to your wee ones.
that sounds great, amy! what a fantastic idea!
i'm going to look into this a little more - sounds perfect!
and be sure to keep us posted on those peanuts and goats...
Wierd...just yesterday I was listening to NPR and there is a local farmers market selling hand knits to raise money for a Microfinance Project helping Senegal. And it was for peanut seed...
I admire your abilitly to think of others while dealing with all the hubub and craziness that must be Crankypants right now. Good Luck!
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