Kiva - Micro-lending for life

Today, right now, there are millions of people living in poverty. This is a fact that we as first and second world, web-surfing, individuals are reminded of frequently, but are rarely given a clear, easy and rewarding way to assist those in need. And this lack of clarity makes donating money a gamble.

But what if you could donate money towards alleviating poverty and get your money back? What if you don't have much to donate? What if you could give the same money out to people in need over and over again?

Kiva is a site that aggregates and distributes your funds to the places it's needed most.

How?

From each investor Kiva collects $25, once they have collected enough money they send it to one of their "Field Partners". The field partner then distributes the money in the form of low interest loans, collects repayments, repays Kiva who inturn repay you.

Voilà you just helped someone in need without spending a cent!

No, really! what can you do? In most first world countries $25 doesn't go very far. Maybe you could buy a meal, or a kinda old/ heavily discounted video game, or you could see a movie or you could donate it to some other anti-poverty group like UNICEF.

But what can Kiva do with $25? Well check out the video below for an over view.

Oh and once Kiva's done with it you can have it back so you can go and eat/game/watch to your hearts content!

Kiva is great in that it allows you to use your Paypal account for both deposits and withdrawals.

Due to the way Kiva has set itself up it is almost impossible to lose your cash.

This is an "investment" only because you get your money back. Kiva does NOT pay interest and you can't grow your money with this system.