This past christmas, as a means to temper the consumerism that seems to seep into my family each year, we sat down with our 3 girls (Hannah, Ella and Lily) and expressed to them that this year instead of getting some big present from Mom and Dad that rather they would recieve something smaller (but with more thought and significance).We further explained that with the money we would have spent on their big present we would turn around and lend it to people who would use that money to create employment/income for their families. Part of the gift was the girls could help choose which person they wanted to loan the money too.
KIVA was really busy over Christmas (which is an awesome problem) so we had to wait a week or so for opportunities to lend to pop up but once they did we jumped in and loaned about $300 US to 4 different people/groups/families. The loans went to help agricultural development, general store and a restaurant.
I'm sharing this to demonstrate how easy it is for someone to contribute to making this world better and to alleviating poverty. By redirecting additional money that we would spend on ourselves and allowing KIVA to connect it to people around the world whose lives will change as a result of the loan seems like a worthwhile opportunity.
Watch the video below to see how your generosity could help change the future of a family in poverty.
A Fistful Of Dollars: The Story of a Kiva.org Loan from Kieran Ball on Vimeo.
Well done my friend. It is stories like this that are paving the way for a new Kingdom reality to emerge. thanks,
Posted by: John Santic | January 13, 2009 at 11:19 AM