I received a most unique gift this holiday season. I was given an envelope in which was a printout of a web page and a code for an online gift certificate.

“What?”, you say. “An online gift certificate? What is so unique about that? Millions of those were probably given this year.”

Well, it is not what it is that makes it unique but where it is from and how it is to be used.

The gift certificate is from Kiva.org and is used to make a $25 loan to an entrepreneur in an impoverished area of the world.
If you are not familiar with Kiva, they facilitate loans between individuals and small businesses in the developing world. By sponsoring a business, you can help the working poor on their way toward economic independence. During the term of the loan you can receive email updates from the business you sponsored and as the loan is repaid, you get your money back. By partnering with microfinance institutions around the world, Kiva has gained access to entrepreneurs in impoverished communities worldwide. Those partners choose qualified borrowers and upload the profiles to Kiva.org so you can lend to them.

I chose Joan Batuwadde’s group. Joan is a tailor in Kasubi, Uganda. She has requested the loan to buy more stock including thread and hopes to buy a new sewing machine. the other members of her group are; Sarah Nansamba, Sarah Nakazibwe, Farida Akello, Viola Kabajwisa, Esther Namubiru, Merab Namugga and Beatrice Nesigamye. The total loan for the group is $3050.00 and was funded in less than 8 hours. The group will make monthly payments over 1 year to repay the loan.

Unlike other lending sites, you do not earn interest on your loans through Kiva.
In this case it is not about making a profit, it is about making a difference.

If you would like to make a loan, or give a gift certifiate to someone and allow them to make the loan, visit www.kiva.org.