The Season for Giving

Karl Fisch, the creator of the wonderfully inspirational and viral video Shift Happens, has suggested a great alternative to the usual gifts we get our families and friends this season.  In his blog  The Fischbowl, he mentions an organization called Kiva. 

Kiva's mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty.
Kiva is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs in the developing world.

Karl says,

"Kiva allows individuals to contribute a small amount of money that is then loaned to entrepreneurs in impoverished communities. When that loan is repaid (currently almost 97% are repaid), then the individual that originally made the loan can choose to loan the money out to another entrepreneur, donate it to Kiva to help with their operating expenses, or actually get the money back.
Poor people in impoverished communities often don’t have access to financial institutions and capital, and microfinancing addresses this problem. It is especially helpful to women, who often are the key to raising families – and communities – out of poverty. It’s also my opinion that this is one of the best ways to help achieve peace in the world."

My contribution of  $25 went to Kisa Kassanga in Tanzania.  I have been to Tanzania and have seen firsthand the need that exists there--especially for single women with children.  I also plan to buy gift certificates for my two great-nieces--both teenagers--so they can feel a sense of connection with others around the world and hopefully begin a lifetime of helping those less fortunate.  My contributions were under the team Karl set up called  Team Shift Happens on the Kiva site:  "We loan because Shift Happens, and we want to be the change we want to see. "  Peace on Earth.