Looking for a unique Christmas gift that keeps on giving? Kiva gift certificates are a great option.
Kiva allows individuals to make loans to specific entrepreneurs starting or expanding businesses in the developing world. You don't receive any interest on your loans, and neither does KIVA (although the local microfinance operations charge interest to the recipients.) You can make loans in $25 incremental amounts. Kiva has loaned over $1 million from 13,000 people in its first year.
Kiva has gift certificates for sale as well. The certificates allow recipients to take the certificates bought in their names and apply them to a loan for a business they choose. This makes them aware of Kiva and introduces them to microfinance through concrete participation. The money is loaned to another business once it is repaid. It is a gift that keeps on giving.
To find out more about Kiva gift certificates, go to: Kiva Gift Certificates
To learn more about how Kiva works go to: About Kiva
This is an awesome idea; to promote social responsibility, free-market values and also give help in a compassionate way is fantastic. I will seriously consider this!
Posted by: Virgil | Dec 04, 2006 at 10:18 PM
I plan on giving one each to two college age relatives.
Posted by: Michael Kruse | Dec 04, 2006 at 10:24 PM
Got three of them just the other day. It's great. They don't even mail you anything, just give you a code that has to be entered. Frontline World has a great 15 minute piece on Kiva that's worth watching. Google it.
Posted by: Rocky | Dec 05, 2006 at 06:46 AM
Rocky, Thanks for the link! I think I might put it up as a post on Wednesday.
Posted by: Michael Kruse | Dec 05, 2006 at 12:48 PM