Kiva Microloans

Sohaam, who's face is blurred for her protection.

A bunch of years ago I heard through the NPR grapevine the advent of "microloans"... companies and persons would lend small amounts of money to (gasp!) real people in an attempt to spur that area's economy from the ground up, in some cases, literally. 

A friend of mine on Facebook lends to Kiva, a microloan distributor, in $25 increments.  You can choose your amount, your gender (well, the borrower's gender), and the type of person/cause you'd like to support.  Many are small families trying out a new business, or working on their house, or starting a farm.  Your loan is added to other loans to create the amount they are asking (between $400 and $2000, from what I saw).  It was surprisingly hard to decide where to put my first $25. 

In the end I chose a woman from Iraq named Sohaam to purchase a new sewing machine.  She currently makes dresses and clothing on demand for local customers.  She also only needed another $25 to complete her loan request, so I got to be that person.  :)

When Sohaam repays the loan, I will get repaid also.  I intend to turn the money back around for another person in need.  With any luck, this kind of thing will make a resurgence in popularity, and help depressed areas recover far more than an unassuming $25 would expect.  Many threads become a rope. 

If you'd like to learn more, or get a free $25 tryout on Kiva, click this link and sign up through Facebook.  Or create an account here and check it out.  I'd be interested in learning what you think!!