(no subject)

[kaberett]

Thanks to imagines, I've finally got around to joining Kiva.org, a site that brokers microloans. I first heard about it via Logan, and there's an account set up in his memory; I've never got around to joining there. At the moment, however, Kiva is running a free trial promotion - the first 4000 people to sign up between now and August 21st get $25 to loan out. Returns from that $25 go back to Kiva, but it's a good way to get started and see first-hand how it works.

(One of the other reasons I'm joining at this point? I can think of few better things to do with the dollars I'll have left over at the end of this trip.)

Comments

[kake]

I like Kiva! I wish they were a little more transparent about the fact that the loans are generally back-filled rather than disbursed entirely from the money you put in, but the fact that it happens is a bonus rather than a drawback for me, so this is a minor niggle.

(There's kiva on here too, though it's not active.)

[rmc28]

I joined! But your link got me a not-found, so I added the 'alex1180' in the email field and am hoping you get credited.

It's almost too much choice finding someone to fund. Here's how I went about my first 2 loans; I'd be interested to know how you did.

1. decided I would fund women only
2. decided I would fund in Africa
3. selected those with least left to complete the loan, and looked through the first few until I found one that 'spoke' to me
4. selected the newest loans, and looked through the first few to find another that 'spoke' to me.

I'm cheered to find I should have $25 back in repayments by next March, so I can lend again. And I may find more money to donate anyway, but not this month.