blogging for kiva

I've been tagged again, but don't groan--it's not a meme! No, this time Dee of The Mundane & The Profound has come up with a great way to encourage other bloggers to talk a bit about


an amazing organization that allows anyone to help entrepreneurs around the world over the Internet through a concept called microfinance.

Here is a description from Kiva's website:

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.

It's that easy! You go to Kiva.org and look around at the projects that need funding. You can loan as little as $25 through PayPal and then, if you like, become a part of the project you've supported by keeping track of its progress.

Kiva was started by Matt and Jessica Flannery after working in East Africa as newlyweds; they saw East Africans around them achieving such great things with so little money that they had visions of all that could be accomplished with just a bit more funding.

And since its humble beginnings a few years ago, Kiva has raise a bit more than a bit more funding--$10 million in loans has been distributed, and 99.7% of that has already been paid back.

The impact of this money, though, is surely immeasurable.

And giving money isn't the only way you can help out, so do check out the Kiva website for more opportunities--both jobs and volunteer positions are available.

I just love Dee's idea of tagging to spread the word about charities and other good works, so stay tuned for my own tag--I already have a great organization in mind. But for now I encourage any of you that love the idea of Kiva to blog about it too.

If you're reading this, consider yourself tagged.

Today I'm thankful for:

Everyone who supports those who need it, whether it's financially, emotionally, or otherwise. We *all* have something that someone else needs, even though sometimes it takes a little thinking and/or soul-searching to figure out what it might be.

I'm so thankful that there are people in the world who recognize this and give what they can, and I'm not talking about the rich and famous, although obviously their efforts are appreciated as well. I'm talking about everyday folks like you and me who are able to step out of our own worries and see that there are plenty of people who are worse off--and then take the initiative to do something about it.

Makes you have faith in humanity, you know?