Kiva can help make your Christmas special…

November 2nd, 2009 | Posted in kiva, lending

However much I try to ignore it the grim reality is that another Christmas is just over the horizon. To be honest the worst part for me is trying to provide some ideas for presents that I’d like.

A couple of years ago I asked my three daughters to make a donation on my behalf to a charity of their choice. This seemed to work pretty well so they did the same for me last year. It would be easy to repeat my request this year but I think I’ll introduce a slight change.

This year I’m going to ask them to join Kiva and make a donation that will help entrepreneurs in developing countries improve their situation and that of their families. The idea is really very simple, you make a donation (minimum is $25) and then you can review all of the loan applications current on the Kiva site.

Once you find an entrepreneur that you feel deserves your support then it is very easy to make a donation. As you are making a loan this is a gift that you can keep on giving because as the money is repaid your funds will re-build and you can loan again.

I should mention that even though the chances are small there is the possibility that the loan will default. I’ve had this happen once in the eighteen loans I’ve placed so there is a chance it might happen but Kiva do try their hardest to make sure it is very much the exception rather than the rule.

Some of Kiva’s founders were previously involved with Paypal and they have negotiated a deal whereby there are no fees involved when making a donation. This makes it very easy and you can be sure that your funds are secure.

If you are already a Kiva member then you might want to consider making a purchase at the Kiva store.

So, if the thought of buying yet more Christmas presents fills you with dread then why not think about helping others through Kiva.