One of the most rewarding things about travel can be giving back in the communities you visit. But how can you give back when you’re not traveling?
Kiva, a non-profit organization, digitally connects people like you and I to underdeveloped countries across the globe to help give back even from afar. Kiva is a different kind of giving. Through personal loans, not donations which can often be mismanaged, you can help local entrepreneurs to plant the seed that will help them grow their new business.
I met a group of working women who are taking control of their own destiny and changing the way they live.
Rugiatu and three other entrepreneurs run the local food market in Magburaka, Sierra Leone, a town of only 40,000 people. They founded the market where they sell oil and rice – their entrepreneurship has become the main source of income for their families.
How can two everyday foods of oil and rice, so easily accessible to you and I, do so much good for people like Rugiatu?
In West Africa, palm oil is one of the most essential nutrients needed to make food healthy enough for consumption. The challenges of disease and malnutrition means palm oil is high in demand here. Women cook with it daily to provide nutritional meals for their families, but businesses also make their living from selling oil as a cash or export crop. In peak seasons palm oil sells cheaply but in low demand seasons, businesswomen like Rugiatu can re-market it at four times the purchase price. Because of its affordability and versatility, she also sells uncooked rice, another staple of the African diet and the region’s popular cassava dishes.
In Sierra Leone, 70% of the population live below the poverty line, life expectancy is only at 56 and health care is almost non-existent but Rugiatu is trying to make life better in her village. By having the means to buy gallons of oil and bags of rice, she is able to grow her business, feed her family, and nourish an entire community of other families. All with a $25 loan, continents away.
I really like the idea of a Kiva loan because it empowers communities to be independent and self-sufficient. When you lend, you can check out the profile of a borrower you want to help, learn about who they are, where they live, and how your loan can have a direct impact. Borrowers can build homes for families or schools for kids to learn. They can buy goods to re-sell in their family business or invest in simple things like farming tools to harvest easier. The borrowers repay the loan so that lenders (you!) can help other communities who need it.
Kiva is a different kind of charity that helps alleviate poverty and empower communities, even when you’re miles away.
Have you every tried Kiva?
Microfinance can help transform the lives of entrepreneurs in developing countries. I created an account and try to help as much as possible. I've had a few borrowers in the Philippines pay back their loan on time. There is one I'm loaning to in an instable region in the world, but wanted to give these people a chance. Every little bit helps even someone is able to donate as much as a tall non fat vanilla latte. Research shows that if you are part of something bigger than yourself it will also increase your level of happiness.
I’m with you on that one! I think we feel our happiest when we know we’re helping other people
Really love this section and will be coming back to it to read more articles. I've heard of KIVA, but this is so much more info about them than had before. Great site, best of luck with it, Molly
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Thanks for droppin' by Molly! I started the Travel for Social Good section because I think it's so important to give back. I've always had a passion for helping others less fortunate and international development. I am planning my next chapter in voluntourism soon and hope I will be able to use my travels more to make a difference.
Hey Cristina! This is Camille Sabino from Twitter. I just made my first Kiva loan. I wanted to make a loan to someone in the Philippines, since that is where my family is from. I also wanted it to be from the province my family lives and be in the agriculture industry. I found the perfect match with a lady who wants to buy more fertilizer for her sugar cane crops, to send her 4 children to college.
It was a perfect match since my family is in the sugar cane industry in the Philippines. Even though I don't have much income as a college student, providing a Kiva loan was very important to me. I fully believe in the power of social entrepreneurship, micro- finance, and technology. I wish everyone made loans instead of simply giving money away.
Camille, this is such great news! It sounds like Teresita will finally be able to care for her family the way she hopes! I can't believe how such a small amount can do so much good hundreds of miles away! You may be able to read her progress via the journal updates on Kiva's site. Unfortunately not all families provide updates but when they do, it's so rewarding to hear how much our loans have been able to help them. Rugiatu has been able to purchase more product for her business and she has already begun repaying the loan which I plan on re-lending again soon. Keep me posted!