My previous post spoke of the billions of dollars that could be used to solve long-standing world problems. But what truly changes our world is the accumulated effect of small actions taken by individuals.
That's you and me.
Here's a simple way through which, together, we can make a huge difference in our world. Yes, it does involve a little money, but that comes back to you, so this need not cost you a cent.
It is said, "the Lord helps those who help themselves". Whatever our views on "the Lord", his example here is for sure a worthy one to follow: to help each other help ourselves.
To most of my readers, $25 represents what? The price of a fairly ordinary meal out? Not an amount we would miss much. Yet, in many countries of the world, that same $25 could play a substantial part in helping someone become self-sufficient, to put a roof over their heads and to put their kids through school.
I'm talking about micro-lending. And it can be done with just a few clicks of your mouse through an organisation called KIVA. They can connect your $25 (every cent of it) to your choice of any one of thousands of projects around the world. As people like you and me chip in, enough funds soon accumulate to help that individual lift their family out of poverty into a better life.
You could find yourself lending to a farmer in Colombia who needs an extra field; a group of enterprising women in Pakistan setting up a computer repair service; a market trader in Kenya; a community cafe in the Dominican Republic... and as they repay, you can re-lend the money, so the benefits go on and on and on.
I can tell you, the real buzz from this is the feeling of truly being a part of one family that spans the whole world. You get to follow the progress of your chosen project. You also get to see who else from around the world has chipped in to the same project. Some of them form into teams (but you may also choose to remain anonymous if you wish).
Last year alone, over $80million dollars were loaned in this way through KIVA. That's real people power. And remember, as your loan is repaid, you are free to take your money back. So, at the end of the day, it need not cost a cent.
Quite rightly, you will have many questions about KIVA, who they are and how they operate. I urge you to check them out at their website http://www.kiva.org/. All the answers are there, so I won't re-invent the wheel by repeating things here. I can only urge you to give it a try.
I really can't think of a way that's more sure to warm your heart and put a smile on your face. That's why I've titled this post A Gift For You.
Please consider it.
You'll be glad you did.
That's you and me.
Here's a simple way through which, together, we can make a huge difference in our world. Yes, it does involve a little money, but that comes back to you, so this need not cost you a cent.
It is said, "the Lord helps those who help themselves". Whatever our views on "the Lord", his example here is for sure a worthy one to follow: to help each other help ourselves.
To most of my readers, $25 represents what? The price of a fairly ordinary meal out? Not an amount we would miss much. Yet, in many countries of the world, that same $25 could play a substantial part in helping someone become self-sufficient, to put a roof over their heads and to put their kids through school.
I'm talking about micro-lending. And it can be done with just a few clicks of your mouse through an organisation called KIVA. They can connect your $25 (every cent of it) to your choice of any one of thousands of projects around the world. As people like you and me chip in, enough funds soon accumulate to help that individual lift their family out of poverty into a better life.
You could find yourself lending to a farmer in Colombia who needs an extra field; a group of enterprising women in Pakistan setting up a computer repair service; a market trader in Kenya; a community cafe in the Dominican Republic... and as they repay, you can re-lend the money, so the benefits go on and on and on.
I can tell you, the real buzz from this is the feeling of truly being a part of one family that spans the whole world. You get to follow the progress of your chosen project. You also get to see who else from around the world has chipped in to the same project. Some of them form into teams (but you may also choose to remain anonymous if you wish).
Last year alone, over $80million dollars were loaned in this way through KIVA. That's real people power. And remember, as your loan is repaid, you are free to take your money back. So, at the end of the day, it need not cost a cent.
Quite rightly, you will have many questions about KIVA, who they are and how they operate. I urge you to check them out at their website http://www.kiva.org/. All the answers are there, so I won't re-invent the wheel by repeating things here. I can only urge you to give it a try.
I really can't think of a way that's more sure to warm your heart and put a smile on your face. That's why I've titled this post A Gift For You.
Please consider it.
You'll be glad you did.