Charity-Case

[Sherwood]

Some of you fine folks may be charitable givers. I've no doubt you have organizations you enjoy working with if you are, but here's another for you to consider.

Kiva is a microfinance loan organization registered as a charity in the US. Basically, you choose a loan beneficiary by geographical region or business sector, and loan money to them. Most loans have a repayment period of 12 months, and better than 95% of the loans are repaid on time. They are zero-interest loans overseen by volunteers on site. Those volunteers choose the recipients and assist them in administering funds.

Personally, I;m a big fan of microfinance, and of this organization. 100% of your donation funds go directly to the applicant, so the organization itself is funded seperately by other donations (usually a 10% request on top of your donation). Also, should you choose to, once the loans are repaid the money is yours again. I like to roll it back in, but should you be in need of it it's there.

Just a shout out for a good organization that I was not aware of until recently.

[swt61]

Could we just circumvent them, and you loan me the money for a K1000 directly?

Seriously though it sounds like a good idea.