I got my tax return a couple of days ago and was ready to just keep it in my bank account and forget that it was money I hadn't really been expecting to ever get back. Today while reading for my Economics class, though, I was reminded about kiva.org, an organization that deals in microfinancing where people can loan out small amounts of money to entrepreneurs in developing countries. These loans have a very high rate of repayment (Kiva quotes theirs at more than 98%) and help get people off their feet--a win-win situation!
I used my tax return and loaned money to five different people/groups. One loan is to a group who run a furniture making workshop in Uganda and one is to a woman in Nigeria who runs a general store. I also loaned to a groups in Vietnam (all women), Kyrgyzstan and the Philippines who raise and sell livestock. I am so excited to be a part of this opportunity to help people work their way to a better lifestyle and can't wait for them to prove me right by paying back the loan so I can turn around and lend the money to someone else. I just feel so good!
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