Kiva - Loans That Change Lives (and Republicans)

I’m a huge fan of Kiva, the microloan organization. This despite the fact that I was raised by conservative Midwestern Republican Wasps (all redundant terms), and my people tend to believe in the “up from your own bootstraps” approach. (Not to mention the “no estate tax” approach, just in case those bootstraps don’t stay up on their own.)

My current Kiva portfolio includes loans for a bakery in Tajikstan, a beauty salon in the Dominican Republic, a general store in Tanzania, and a used clothing store in Lebanon. So far my loans have been 100% paid back, and I re-lend the original funds as soon as they are returned to my Kiva account. (Adding loans to my basket is as fun as online shopping, with the added virtue of feeling like an Oprah-type benefactor at a relatively small cost.) I try to spread my dollars around the globe, and tend to be prejudiced in favor of women-owned businesses. When women achieve an income of their own, good things tend to happen for their families and their communities. (And maybe even their inheritances!)

According to Kiva, I've made more than the average number of loans, but I'm sadly lacking in invitations to others to join.  So we'll consider this blog post one big group invitation.  Head on over to Kiva now, and tell them the Tailored Woman sent you!