CHANGING THE WORLD, ONE MICRO-LOAN AT A TIME

Have you ever watched news stories about poverty around the world, and wondered how you could help? Have you ever wished you could directly touch peoples’ lives in meaningful ways that would make a difference, even in faraway places? Have you ever heard of micro-credit?

Kiva is an online micro-credit organization that puts people who want to help in touch with people in developing countries who are in need of assistance in the form of a small loan. This is a great way for us to share the blessings God has given us, with his children around the world. Kiva works with international non-governmental organizations (like World Vision and Save the Children) and local groups to identify entrepreneurs in need of a loan to get started.

It may be something like raising and selling chickens or pigs, or making and selling crafts like clay pots or jewellery, or collecting and recycling materials from local communities, or selling clothing or office supplies or fruits and vegetables - the possibilities are really endless.

A profile of each potential entrepreneur is developed and posted by Kiva online, telling where they live, what they want to do, how much they need, and which local organization is sponsoring them. Lenders (like us) have the option of picking to whom and for what we want to make a loan, and loans are made in $25 (USD) increments. They are repaid over time according to a repayment schedule (usually a year or less), at which point the lender has the option of recovering their money or reinvesting it.

A small group of us at St. Richard’s decided to get involved with Kiva, and also to create a "lending team" so that we could see how our collective efforts could make a bigger difference. If you want to join us, it’s really simple! Go to Kiva and click on "register" at the very top of the page. You can create your own account, giving as much or as little information about yourself as you like.

Then, if you want to join our St. Richard’s team, click on the tab called "community" and search for "St. Richard’s" (or go to Kiva Lending Team: St. Richard's Ottawa and click on "join team"). You’re all set! Then you can find an entrepreneur you want to loan money to, and watch their business grow!

We already know that St. Richard’s members have a big heart for outreach ministries, both within our community and beyond. Kiva gives us one more way to get involved and to help people in far-flung corners of the world in a relatively simple, safe, and affordable way. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Wendy Birkinshaw Malo at 613-260-0631 or Eric Driscoll at 613-823-4529.