KIVA.ORG (pronounced as keeva) is a nonprofit microfinance organization based in California.
Anyone can support a micro-business in 12 countries in East Africa and even Bulgaria. With as little as $25, the money is loaned to the business at 0% interest and repayed in 6-12 months.
Individual lenders have a one-to-one relationship with the particular business with progress reports. Money goes directly to the people with no middle man. Pay Pal is processing the loans free of charge.
I haven't read much about it so far. First heard about it last night on PBS's Frontline/World. 100% loan repayment, although it's only their 1st year.
http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/uganda601/lenders.html
And Grameen bank is charging 20% interest for microloans.
Anyone can support a micro-business in 12 countries in East Africa and even Bulgaria. With as little as $25, the money is loaned to the business at 0% interest and repayed in 6-12 months.
Individual lenders have a one-to-one relationship with the particular business with progress reports. Money goes directly to the people with no middle man. Pay Pal is processing the loans free of charge.
I haven't read much about it so far. First heard about it last night on PBS's Frontline/World. 100% loan repayment, although it's only their 1st year.
http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/uganda601/lenders.html
And Grameen bank is charging 20% interest for microloans.