One night at 3am, I couldn't sleep. I felt my way downstairs, and flipped on the TV. Perfect! PBS's Frontline had just started. (My friends will tell you: I'm a sucker for documentaries.) The subject that night was something called: 'Micro Financing'. In my sleepy stupor, I thought, "Micro-what?"

‘Microfinancing’ enables regular folks like you and me to make small loans (I'm talking $20 or $40 bucks here) to people all over the world. With this little boost of money, (It's amazing how far $20 goes in some places) people who otherwise can’t get a bank loan can start a business, make some money, and become self-sufficient! Then they can feed, clothe and educate their children without charity or donation- forever!

To be a 'Loaner' just go online to a microlender, (or just click on the Kiva photo), review the profiles of people requesting loans, and find the person you want to assist. You give the loan directly to the business person you select. Easy! You can also choose to follow the person's progress as they pay back the loan, and grow their business. So cool!

The benefits of being a micro-loaner: ... It's NOT charity! With a little $ boost to start from some of us, most people who accept these loans develop their businesses to be self-sufficient...for good!

... As these entrepreneurs start to make a profit- they pay you back! Once the debt is completely repaid, you can either get your money back- or better yet- loan it to someone else. (FYI: 90% of microfinancing loans are paid back on time.)

... Often as these businesses grow, they create more jobs in their communities- which creates more wealth & health and educated people in some of the world's most impoverished nations.

Microfinancing changed the way I thought about helping people. Now, I'm far more interested in helping people to change their own lives than to simply ship a bag of rice to a dock somewhere, only to have it stolen by vandals, or have it gobbled up by governmental red tape. I've shifted much of my 'giving' to an organization called Kiva. (www.kiva.org) Kiva was featured on Frontline as one of many legit organizations that provides these loans.

How to be a Loaner and help wipe out poverty- for good:
If you are interested in providing a hard-working person a loan, no matter how small, click on the PHOTO in the Kiva box at the top of this page, and click the LEND button... I bet you'll catch the Microfinancing fever too. Thanks! -Ren

Here's a great video from Frontline about Microfinancing:

PBS Frontline Microfinancing