inertia invites you to try lending on Kiva!
Kiva gives you the chance to make small loans to borrowers working to start businesses and improve their lives. I'm already lending on Kiva and thought you'd like to join me!
https://www.kiva.org/invitedby/inertia
– inertia
I donate to Kiva because the lendees show their plans about what to do with the money and what they've done so far. Many of them already have the business in place and want to expand, so you know they already have a proven track record. There are non-profit organizations to back them up. If I want to lend to someone based on gender, country or business I can. You see a history of loans that were backed with each non-profit, so you know what your chances are of being paid back.
The other thing I appreciate about Kiva is that you can give microloans to businesses in the United States and it's the first organization I've heard of that does it. Most microloan organizations promote efforts outside the US, but small business owners are really struggling now because of the recession. I used to live in Boston and I leant money to someone starting a laundromat there. I appreciate the fact that I can provide microloans to people who live closer to me and not just people overseas. Nice one @inertia
I register under you Anthony..
Awesome! Don't forget to join the steem team too:
https://www.kiva.org/team/steem
Haha "Jesus told me to be nice." Nice. I have a theory that Jesus was the first true "punk," in the rebellious, compassionate sense. A real "man fighter."
okay
I visited the website and I was suprised at what I saw, at first I thought it was only borrowing sites and initiatives that we have, this one changed my stances.
So one can donate and help people in need and then get paid back?
Wow so is there like a terms and condition?
https://www.kiva.org/legal/terms
Wow it's a fine initiative, I will set out to explore it really it's an amazing initiative
It feels good to see supporters of kiva here. Glad this was brought up @inertia
I'm a college student with limited income, and with $300 in capital, I've made loans to 68 countries-- many Americans can't list that many countries, nevertheless identify someone within each one they've helped.
While my $25 contribution can be 1/10 or 1/100 of a total loan, I'm one of the lucky few that are privileged enough to see what would've been a shopping trip to the mall become a contribution in alleviating a life from poverty.
There's a lot of empirical data on the benefits of microfinance; from the injection of capital for aspiring entrepreneurs, to the respect accorded to women and young individuals taking care of their families and communities. Chances are, I can't afford to loan $1000 to an entrepreneur. But, I can loan $25 and join 39 other lenders to make up that shortfall. And when that borrower repays back, they can use their increased income to invest in themselves again-- and I can invest their capital in starting that wave elsewhere. And like lazy Americans we are, Kiva re-lends the money paid back to me automatically, and instead of sitting in a bank account, its helping the lives of people worldwide.
You know @inertia, i love them for transparency.
In most situations where you could give to a charity or put money into a larger "fund", you don't get to see where your money goes. With Kiva, you not only get to see where your money goes, you get to select where your money goes.
Another reason i will stick with them is the empowering rather than aiding.
I believe it's more powerful to empower someone who has an idea and their own will. If they can borrow and pay back their debt, they have made a commitment and followed through on that commitment. Building that kind of confidence and responsibility is more powerful than any hand out.
I have made over 40 loans on Kiva. I've lent $1100 and thus far it has all been paid back. It's gratifying to see how an initial stake of $200 has been lended, paid back and re-lended many times.
I have made 154 loans in 37 countries. Their platform is fantastic and you can help others and the money gets deposited back into your account for you to loan it out again. My daughter has also been making loans since she was 10 years old and the platform makes it easy for her to understand. Nice @inertia, i didnt know there was a steem team. I will join with the link you provided to @kouba01.
very good work
...registered by your reference...
Awesome. I am a huge fan.
It's a great platform for micro-lending worldwide. I love reading the stories of the applicants, especially the entrepreneurs.
I've made about 20 loans, with a very high repayment rate. It's a transparent process, and feels like a sustainable model for doing good.
The one feature of the site I've been wanting for years is the ability to automatically re-invest. While I like picking specific individuals, I haven't always made the time to login and read through options on a monthly basis. As a result, too often money sits unused in my Kiva account.
I would put more money into the service if Kiva had a feature that let me automatically reinvest in certain geographies and loan types. Even better would be offering the ability to reinvest based on the choices of others. (For example: "People who choose loans similar to yours also invested in...." or "Follow the investments of these lenders...")
So there is everything awesome about Kiva
It's pretty straight-forward. It is a great way to help people. Micro-credit isn't the panacea for poverty, but it certainly helps many people who are entrepreneurial improve their lot in life. I like it because you are really only taking a very minor risk and tying up your capital for however long to help someone. I've given out I think 5 loans now with just $25 that I just keep recycling. I would highly recommend it. Kiva all the way
I really like Kiva. During the past 6 years I have lended $1300 over 48 loans.
I have made a loss of $10...
I have lended in 16 countries across 15 different sectors.
I have been trying to lend to people with educative projects but there are not so many. Most people in the "education" category just want some money to pay for their tuition fees. There is no business plan whatsoever.
I try as much as possible to lend to people with a positive and entrepreneurial mindset. The best feeling is when your loan gets repaid. It means it was worth it and you actually made a difference!