Too often kindness is relegated to a random act performed only when we’re feeling good. But an even greater kindness (to ourselves and others) occurs when we reach out even when we aren’t feeling entirely whole. It’s not easy, and no one is perfect. But we’ve decided it’s not impossible to brighten the world one smile, one kind word, one blog post at a time. To that end, a few of us writers have established The Kindness Project, starting with a series of inspirational posts.
If I asked you to loan me $25, what would you say?
Most of you would say yes, I suspect, and many of you don’t know me that well. You might not even ask why I needed it.
What if I promised to pay the $25 back in a year or two, and you knew that the loan would change my life for the better in a dramatic way.
Of course you’d say yes.
For my inaugural post on kindness, I want to talk about Kiva. Kiva is an incredible not-for-profit that offers microloans to those who need a hand establishing or improving their businesses. The idea is to provide them with the resources they need to change their lives, rather than short term handouts that don’t ultimately bring change.
Lenders offer up $25 each, and club together to help out those who have applied for loans. Since 2005, Kiva has made $309 million in loans in 59 countries, and has a repayment rate of 98.93%. As someone with one foot in the financial world, I can tell you that’s better than most banks! Every cent of your $25 goes straight to the loan recipient.
And of course, when your $25 comes back to you, you can send it out to do more good.
So far, looking at just a few of my loans, one payment of $25 has helped Novruz from Azerbaijan buy ten new sheep and fodder, doubling his flock. He’d already worked his way up from two sheep to ten on his own. Once he repaid it, it helped Tuvshinjargal from Mongolia buy more goods to sell at the market, helping her raise money for her daughters’ education. She repaid it ahead of time, and now it’s helping Maria from Bolivia. She’s twenty, and is supporting her three year old son–with her loan she purchased tools and products to help expand her burgeoning beauty business.
What could you do with $25? For me, that’s 6.5 of the hot chocolates I buy each morning on the way to work. It’s a couple of desserts when we go out for dinner. It’s an impulse buy of a shirt I might not even wear later.
For the recipients of Kiva loans, it’s a life-changing experience.
Posting today for The Kindness Project:
Gretchen McNeil Tracey Neithercott
Meagan Spooner Carolina Valdez Miller
Be sure to check them out! We post the second Wednesday of every month. Want to join us? Grab our button and spread a little kindness.
Wow. That sounds like such an awesome service. I’m off to check it out, but in the meantime: nice to meet you, Amie!
And you! I’m so glad you’re looking into it — I really believe in what they do.
Thanks for bringing this to my attention, Amie! I’m definitely going to check it out!
Fantastic! I thought your kindness post was beautiful, Sarah.
Okay, Kiva sounds AWESOME. I’m hopping over there right now to loan $25. Thank you for telling us about this, Amie. I’m going to spread the word as well
Ah! This is hard. How do you choose? I wish I had a zillion dollars and could donate to everyone
It’s so hard, I know! Kiva has so many amazing donors that all the projects you see posted will be funded eventually. I pick projects that speak to my heart, and figure that if we all do that, diverse group that we are, it should shake out about right! I’m over the moon that you’re joining in. <3
What a great organization! I have participated in something similar through my church and it is amazing what a few dollars can do,
Exactly — to us it’s really nothing at all, but the difference on the other end is enormous.
I LOVE this! Kiva has been on my “to research” list for charitable giving, and you’ve totally took the guesswork out for me! What awesome timing, thank you for sharing! ^_^
Also, nice to meet you! I’m happy to be part of the Kindness Project with you
Hooray! Glad you’re taking a look at it, and so happy to be getting kind together!
I love this…thank you for sharing this with us. I’m off to donate.
Also, *waves*, so happy to be doing this project with you.
Hugs,
Lola
Excellent, happy lending! Go team KP!
Kiva sounds like a really great idea. Do you get a picture and letter showing who you help?
They don’t post you a paper letter, but you get a picture of the person you’re helping and a bio telling you who they are and what they’ll do with the money, then regular updates on their repayments. Lots of great info!
I have heard of Kiva before – now I really must check it out and become part of it. Gosh, $25 is nothing to most of us but life-changing to someone. Thanks for the great reminder.
I’m so glad you’re taking a look — you’re exactly right, it’s really nothing at all, unless you’re the one who needs it.
Wow, this sounds really awesome. I’ll have to go check it out! But I have to choose who to donate it to? That sounds really hard!!
Glad to meet you and be a part of this with you!
It is hard, because there are so many worthy people! I choose the ones that speak to me, and I know other people will grab the ones that speak to them.
I love KIVA. Found out about it from the Nerdfighters and now am a huge advocate. Good girl:) Awesome post.
Nerdfighters + Kiva = too much awesome in one place. How is the universe intact?
What a great project to take on! The first cause you’ve highlighted sounds amazing.
Beth, you should join us!
There are places in the world where $25 is a big deal. This sounds like a worthy project, Amie.
Sia McKye OVER COFFEE
I think it’s fantastic, glad you like the sound of it!
This is the second time today I’ve heard of Kiva, the first being at my day job. I’d heard of it before but I think it’s pretty clear I need to look at it RIGHT NOW. Thanks for blogging about it!
Yup, that’s the universe telling you that somebody out there needs a hand from you. Can’t ignore a sign like that!
What an amazing service, Amie. Obviously I need to check it out. Talk about a fabulous way to pay it forward! Kindness exemplified…
I thought it would be right up your alley, Carol — you do so much already <3
I’ve heard of Kiva but never looked into it. I’m about to. And I’m vaguely ashamed of the lunch out I ate yesterday because I was too lazy to make my own. I don’t think I’m allowed to whine about my finances anymore. Sometimes we just don’t think.
It’s a tricky one — there’s no value in becoming too guilty over what we do have, though I definitely share the urge. I try and turn it around and look at what I can do/give, because you’re right, our issues with our finances are nothing in comparison to the folks Kiva is helping.
Nice!
I had never heard of this! I think it’s very cool. We have a similar program in my church (though you make a donation instead of a loan), called the Perpetual Education Fund. The repayment rate is also ridiculously high. It’s so amazing what a little money can do in other corners of the world. I’ll have to check this out.
Thanks for pointing me that direction.
No worries, Janet — I can imagine you being a real fit with a program like this!
This is the first time I’m hearing about Kiva and the Kindness Project. By the sound of it, the project has already made a difference.
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