A Worthy Cause

Our friend and colleague (and sometime competitor!) Jon Walters of Accuspace Measuring is training for an Ironman competition in Penticton. As part of his effort he is fundraising for Kiva. Here’s the details he sent us:

• you donate to the region and person of your choice: you can see the activity that is being supported
• loans can be very small
• your loan is tracked
• you are repaid: 97% repayment history
• administration fees are not included in loans; they are by donation

So I am dedicating this year’s effort to raising loans for Kiva and, to that end, I have started “JW’s 2009 Ironman Quest” loan community at this link:

JW’s 2009 Ironman Quest

Rather than just give money you’ll never see again, for as little as $25.00 you can extend a loan, not charity, to the entrepreneur of your choice in the county of your choice. Again, because the local people have a say in who gets the money and see to repayment, the repayment regime has been excellent.

Please take a close look at Kiva. It’s a great site that enables the concept of ‘micro-finance’ – a concept in foreign aid that empowers entrepreneurs rather than corrupt governments. To learn more, Google Dambisa Moyo.