My West African Store

THIS is the coolest thing ever.

Through Kiva, I lend $25 to, say, Antoinette Worou from West Africa for her general store. (which i did.)

She buys more supplies, makes a profit and pays me back the $25.

I've helped a hard-working woman entrepreneur from a third world country better her business, which in turn gives her kids a better life and education, for ZERO DOLLARS.

My dad and my sister have been doing Kiva for a little over a year and they always get paid back. They choose to then reinvest in a new business owner, but you don't have to.

(Stop looking at Robert Pattinson over there and focus.)

How cool is that? You choose who you want to loan to...

Maria's roadside fruit business in Peru...

Ana Maria's house-repair business in Nicaragua...

Felicitas from Peru who has 9 kids and a clothing business (obviously)

I just love it - especially now when the economy sucks and no one feels they can afford to donate to charities - you're still doing a great thing, but you can be repaid if you choose!!!!

Anyway- if you're interested, Intel is sponsoring the Small Things Challenge  , an awareness campaign that even the smallest effort on the part of one person can effect a huge change in someone's life.

Just go to that link - They are sponsoring both Kiva and Save the Children. (I clicked on "join the Intel group" at Kiva - that takes you to the gallery of business owners who need loans.)

Loan to a hardworking person in need: $25
Amount you get paid back: $25
Total money spent: $0
Doing a good thing AND being able to say you invested in a goat farm: Priceless.