www.Kiva.org

I was watching "24" on Hulu.com and an advertisement really caught my attention. It was for an online platform called "Kiva". This website is the worlds first person to person micro-lending website.  It lets you connect with people around the world and provide loans directly to unique entrepreneurs in developing countries. These are people who really need these investments in countries that do not have the money, but want to make a difference. You are able to step in immediately and help change the world. Here is a quick overview of how this website works:

1. Lenders like you browse profiles of entrepreneurs in need, and choose someone to lend to. When they lend using pay-pal or their credit cards, Kiva collects the funds and then passes them along to one of our micofinance partners worldwide. 

2.Kiva's microfinance partners distribute the loan funds to the selected entrepreneur. OFten, our partners also provide training and other assistance to maximize the entrepreneur's chances of success.

3. Over time, entrepreneur repays their loan. Repayment and other updates are posted on Kiva and emailed to lenders who wish to receive them. 

4. When lenders get their money back, they can re-lend to someone else in need, donated their funds to Kiva (to cover operational expenses) or withdraw their funds.