Microloans can save the world. Or a small part.
One of the most exciting grassroots movements to end poverty in developing countries is the growing popularity of microloans. These small-scale, interest-free loans are a way a lot of people are connecting to the global community and making a difference in the economies of poor nations.
This is Asli Gasimova from Azerbaijan. She's requesting money to increase the diversity of inventory in her food market and make some repairs to her store. To donate to her campaign, click here.
Kiva.org is one organization that is facilitating this process of helping entrepreneurs lift themselves out of poverty. Kiva identifies hardworking businesspeople from around the world who need some capital to start or grow their business. They post profiles of these folks and lenders can pick who and how much to lend. Just $50 can, for example, go a long way toward getting a seamstress in Sri Lanka the $500 she needs to open a storefront or buy a newer sewing machine and supplies.
Conrad and I are planning on lending half of our regular savings through Kiva. You're almost 99% guaranteed to get back all your money and in the meantime, you're making personal connections and seeing your money go straight to a person who can use it to make their lives better. What have you got to lose?
April
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Also, should you be interested, I've been reading a book on economics (which is very related to this). It's *almost* a textbook, but doesn't have charts and equations and crap like most economics books do. If you continue to be interested in issues of economics like this, it might be good to have some more than a cursory knowledge of economics. I'll buy you guys a copy, if you want it...that's how good I think this book is. :)
It's called Basic Economics, by Thomas Sowell...the latest edition just came out this month, with some revisions/expanded information.