When a Little Means a Lot

I've previously written about the impact of  $25 Kiva loans to enterprising business women and men.  Today I made my 22nd loan, this one to a group of female business women in the Congo.  It's exciting to perpetually invest a little, with potentially life-changing impacts to the entrepreneurs and their families. As is often the case, with those who attempt to help, my life has been greatly enriched by giving a little and seeing the the bigger difference these little bits have made to so many striving families around the globe. 

A little investment can change lives - of investors and of those in whose enterprises investments are made.  Investment is one of the many ways to help individuals and businesses prosper.

High Impact Introductions

We rarely know the impact of introductions we make. My daughter, Julia, made two special introductions, one intentional and one by chance, that have tremendous benefits that can be tracked. Julia's fabulous gift of a Kiva gift card introduced me to this remarkable micro-lending site.  My original two loans have grown to a total of seventeen.  I've also made contributions toward Kiva's operations.  And I'm thrilled to report that all of my entrepreneurs have repaid or are repaying as agreed.

The second introduction was to DonorsChoose.org.  Julia and I went to see "Waiting for Superman".  A $15 DonorsChoose gift card that was distributed to all viewers prompted me to investigate.  After using the gift card to benefit a Houston classroom, 28 classrooms in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio became the beneficiaries of Sterling Bank's Thanksgiving Grants.

I've shared information on these projects in the following previous posts:

Funding Classroom Projects
Incredible Fun and Impact for $25
Gifts that Keep on Giving 
Making a Difference in Classrooms 

As these two examples illustrate, it doesn't take a lot of money or a detailed plan to make high impact introductions.  When we act with good intentions and natural curiosity, we can create high impact introductions.  In addition to loans and donations, our introductions can lead to friendships, jobs, contracts, recognition and awards. 

Incredible Fun and Impact for $25

Though we've never met, I've connected with 12 special women across the globe during the last 13 months:

• Ernestina from Nicaragua
• Norma from Mexico
• Maria from Bolivia
• Esther from Ghana
• Janet from Nigeria
• Dolores from Peru
• Elma from Philippines
• Inocensia from Philippines
• Augustina from Ghana
• Faatali from Somoa
• Marina from Philippines
• Valentina from Ukraine

These 12 female entrepreneurs are working to improve their own lives and provide opportunities for their families. Who would ever imagine that 13 lives (theirs and mine) could be touched by investing $100 ($25 per entrepreneur)? 

My precious daughter wisely knew that I'd become intrigued with Kiva, a wonderful micro-lending organization.  Her cherished gift certificate caused me to become an avid Kiva lender and advocate.

The beauty of Kiva is that each loan amount is $25 per lender.  So, my 4 initial loans have now mushroomed to 12 because, though it's not required, I've chosen to re-lend funds each time my hard-working entrepreneurs repay.  And, because I value what this non-profit is doing, I've made small donations to cover their operating expenses.  Donating, though appreciated, is not required.

I've chosen to focus on female entrepreneurs, but want to emphasize that Kiva provides loans to women and men across the globe.

I can't imagine a more interactive, impactful $25 investment opportunity!