It happens every year … around Thanksgiving I start getting phone calls and emails from the relatives:
What can we get the kids for Christmas this year? Is The Little Guy still into Playmobil? There was a beautiful 5000-piece puzzle at the toy shop, should I pick it up for the family? Are they still into music – how about drums?!
With four kids in our family, you can imagine the amount of STUFF we have – more musical instruments than the Boston Pops, and enough Legos to build an addition onto the house!
(photo credit: Trinitarian Congregational Church)
This year I was looking for consumables, gifts that the family could enjoy together, but that wouldn’t take up any more space in the overflowing playroom. I suggested movie passes (these came with two huge boxes of Junior Mints, talk about consumable!), a gift certificate to a local ski area (I don’t ski, but I can tube with the best of them!), and … gift certificates to Kiva.org.
You may recall a post I wrote back in October; Jessica Jackley, co-founder of Kiva, had spoken at a local forum. At that time, I told you, that:
Jessica Jackley is incredibly well-spoken and poised. She speaks passionately about the foundation of Kiva, the mission, and where it’s going. The overwhelming theme is people helping people – individuals can make small investments (starting at $25) directly to entrepreneurs worldwide.
The presentation I attended last fall inspired me to make a small loan via Kiva. I looked at several entreprenuers’ profiles, searching various parts of the world where Kiva lends, and looking for someone who was working in a field that spoke to me (sectors include agriculture, arts, transportation, health, and about a dozen others). I felt strongly that I wanted to lend to a woman, and I was able to search on this criteria as well. It’s very humbling to read of the modest requests made, and the business plans of the individuals.
Evelyn is a 52-year-old mother of six who lives in the Phillipines. She makes a living sewing and selling curtains, and was looking to improve and expand her business with the purchase of additional fabric and materials. Evelyn has already begun to repay the loans made by the seven microlenders (that’s me, microlender!). When the loan is fully paid, we can choose to make another microloan, or to withdraw the funds.
Now, with gift certificates in hand, my children have the opportunity to choose which venture they will help to fund. It’s a great lesson in charitable giving, economics, and risk-taking. A gift certificate with Kiva is a gift that keeps on giving.
Why am I reminding you of this, just three months after I intially blogged about Kiva? This post is part of the Uprinting Kiva Blogathon which is running through the end of January. Uprinting.com will award Kiva gift certificates to the five bloggers whose posts they feel are most inspiring in sharing the importance of supporting our global community. I’d love to be able to turn that gift certificate around and support another entrepreneur like Evelyn.
If you have a blog of your own, you’re welcome to join the Uprinting Blog Sponsorship program, and submit your own entry in the Uprinting Kiva Blogathon.
What a wonderful story. I’d love to know what ventures your children choose.
That’s a wonderful idea! I am sometimes unsure about giving gifts to charity in someone’s name, but I think a gift certificate to a charity is a fantastic idea. Wow, yay for y’all!
I’m glad you made this post because it really caught my attention. Every year for a while now, my family has come together to give to a charity at christmas, instead of spending money on presents for each other. I’ve been looking for a different way to give and make it feel more personal, and Kiva seems perfect for that.
Kathy – I’ll let you know! They each have a certificate, so it could be time-intensive (the decision-making). The older two will “get” more from it than the younger two, but I think it’s important for all of them.
Jenny – I feel it’s a more meaningful gift than ‘buying’ a star for someone (which can be romantic, but I’m not sure it’s productive!)
Jeane – I love that you can continuously reinvest the money; once it’s repaid, turn around and invest in anther entrepreneur.
Great idea! Thanks for sharing. My mother-in-law got us a flock of chickens through Heifer Int’l. this year. I’m going to suggest this for next year.
Awhile back, I read a book titled Banker to the Poor. It’s written by Mohammed Yunus and discusses how small contributions, can make the difference in small villages or communities. It’s all about microlending.. I was fascinated by it. It’s a great book.
LOL!! I bought Mr. BFR a star when he turned 50! Anyway, I love this idea and the lesson that you are teaching your children are everlasting and important.
I’m so glad you posted about Kiva again. I told myself to do something three months ago and then I forgot where I saw it. Now, here it is again and I’m not going to let it get away from me. A wonderful way to give. Kudos to you for teaching your children the value of giving to others. Good luck on winning the contest.
My mom often gets my nieces and nephews lessons, like ice skating, gymnastics, soccer, etc.
This is an amazing way to support others who want to go into business for themselves but can’t gather the funds, and I am thinking that it would be really great to donate to the cause. Thanks for posting this, it seems like a really great idea!
I’m with Margot. I had the best intentions and then time passed me by without doing anything about it. I love this as a gift! Thanks for posting about it again.
[...] This week’s Flavor of the Week award goes to Dawn at She Is Too Fond of Books [...]
I really loved this, and went over to Kiva to sign up. I’m waiting for just the right loan opportunity, and am excited to get the chance to help
By the way, you’re The Kool-Aid Flavor of the Week
Thanks for the inspiration!
This is such a great idea. Will you be relending?
Ti – thanks for the book recommendation!
Margot and Kool-Aid Mom – Yay! Thanks for helping to spread info about Kiva. I wish there was a “waitlist” where we could be notified when certain sectors were looking for funding. I keep checking for an entrepreneur in the education sector, but haven’t connected with any yet.
Serena – yes, I keep rolling the funds over. I don’t have a lot invested, but it’s very cool to know that this small amount can help many people.
I’ll have to keep this in mind once my finances improve. I think its a wonderful thing. Wonder if there are any tax implications?
[...] on February 3, 2010 by thekoolaidmom As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, I was really inspired by Dawn’s post about Kiva. I was signed up, but wanted to loan to someone in Vietnam and none were available at that [...]