Just ten mintues ago, I loaned $25 to a family of fishermen in Cambodia. This family needs $900 to connect a machine to their boat so they can fish faster in Tunle Sap Lake, which is located in the Siem Reap province. So far they have $325 raised, and they still need $575 to purchase the machine. Once they have raised all $900 to purchase the machine to improve their fishing, the family would then slowly repay the money they borrowed with the income they earn from their improved business.
This is one compelling example of the many stories you come across in Kiva, the world’s first person-to-person micro-lending website ever created. As soon as you join Kiva, you have the ability to lend money to entrepreneurs of your choice, mostly from poor countries. Once your loan is paid back, you can either get back your money or put that money into another loan to support another struggling entrepreneur.
Intent community members, this is your opportunity to make a difference. Join Team Intent on Kiva today and become a part of Intent.com’s very own movement to bring more wellness to people all over the world.
So far we only have 9 members and $375.00 loaned out, but imagine how much of a greater impact we would make if all of us in this Intent community joined! Though we may be a small team right now, we need your help to make Team Intent on Kiva a powerful force of positive intentions and global peace.
The beauty of this micro-lending concept is that this is not a one-time donation; you will get every cent of your loan back. In the process, you will be helping a struggling mothers put food on the table, children learn to read, and families get through the day with a peace of mind that they are working towards a financially independent future.
So what are you waiting for? Help a family in Cambodia with their fishing business. Help a woman in Peru buy a motor-taxi so she can sell clothes in the city. Help a group of women in Pakistan with their kite-making business. Join Team Intent on Kiva (and see the personal message I’ve left for you guys on our main Kiva page.)
My intent today is to get as many people as possible to join Team Intent on Kiva so we can make this world a better place through the power of the internet.
P.S. If you are a university student, you may be interested in Campus Kiva, an international network of microfinance clubs that empower students to make a difference in other people’s lives. Our very own Intent Voice Esha Chhabra works for them!
Hi Yumi,
I joined up with Kiva.org long ago. They do an incredible service to people who only need very small amounts of money to accomplish so much in their lives. I understand that the pay back of the money loaned is very high. Such a rewarding way to help others. Great that you are getting the word out there!
Gayle
Gayle, that's so wonderful to hear! It truly is addicting, and it requires so little of us when it means so much to the people who are not as blessed as we are in the material wealth that surrounds us every day. I hope everyone on Intent gets involved, and I really want my own friends to get involved, too!
Hi Yumi,
Thanks for this post. I loved the idea of Kiva when I first heard about it some time ago and at that time, they had more funding than projects. About the same time, I watched a movie about paying forward which makes givers of receivers. I have since thought this would be a good place to send my personal tithe which I do not expect to be returned. I'm assuming the Intent group would just reinvest any returns if so instructed? If I can do this as part of the group, count me in for early next month. I have bookmarked the page and I am grateful you reminded me of this opportunity and I can do it with friends.
Blessings X 10
Ed
Yes, I think we'll just be reinvesting our returns.
Please join Team Intent! Your membership would be much appreciated all over the world.
cool, this sounds like such an excellent idea. I too will join.
Hmmm…sounds like something worth considering. I'm on Social Security and I'm not sure if I'm technically allowed to make donations and such according to their rules–I know I wasn't when I was receiving SSI, but this is a slightly different program. Thanks for the heads-up about this program. I'll keep it in mind.
Hugs,
Brigit
Tamasin, please do! It's so empowering when you see your $25 (or whatever) that could have been used for something inane like a DVD or shoes directed towards an entreprenuer in a third-world country improving the quality of his or her family and community. I highly recommend it!!!
Brigit, you should totally do it! It'll make you feel happy, and the third-world entrepreneur struggling to make ends meet will be even happier.