Mim’s Missives

Below is text for letting friends know about something Mike and I just did. This was our Christmas exchange with each other. We’re hoping to loan at least a small additional amount every month. Pass the word! And be sure to check out my other posts from today below this one.

Make a loan through KIVA
Change a life
Name: LUCY W.
Location: Kenya
Loan Needed: $1,800
25% funded

“I just made a loan to someone in the developing world using a revolutionary new website called Kiva.

You can go to Kiva’s website and lend to someone in the developing world who needs a loan for their business - like raising goats, selling vegetables at market or making bricks. Each loan has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent - and you get updates letting you know how the business is going.

The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back - and Kiva’s loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly.

I just made a loan to an entrepreneur named LUCY WANJIRA WAMBUGO in Kenya. They still need another $1350 to complete their loan request of $1800.00 (you can loan as little as $25.00!). Help me get this business off the ground by clicking on the link below to make a loan to LUCY WANJIRA WAMBUGO too:

http://kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=2337&referralId=

It’s finally easy to actually do something about poverty - using Kiva I know exactly who my money is loaned to and what they’re using it for. And most of all, I know that I’m helping them build a sustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after my loan is paid back.

Join me in changing the world - one loan at a time.

Thanks!”

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What others are saying about www.Kiva.org:

‘Revolutionising how donors and lenders in the US are connecting with small entrepreneurs in developing countries.’
– BBC

‘If you’ve got 25 bucks, a PC and a PayPal account, you’ve now got the wherewithal to be an international financier.’
– CNN Money

‘Smaller investors can make loans of as little as $25 to specific individual entrepreneurs through a service launched last fall by Kiva.org.’
– The Wall Street Journal

‘An inexpensive feel-good investment opportunity…All loaned funds go directly to the applicants, and most loans are repaid in full.’
– Entrepreneur Magazine