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November 2009 
Where would you recommend people give their time?
Posted on Dec 20th, 2008
by 
tinkonthebrink
tinkonthebrink
This is in Response to the Questions and Reflections for December 20, 2008:
For me, time, actual hands-on work, gets given to whatever is in front of me. I do good things but don't do any kind of organized volunteer work at the moment. I have in the past but it's gotten busy out lately. But I think it's important to keep in mind that when you give money you're also giving your time, the time you invested in earning that money, and that while hands-on efforts are wonderful, sometimes money can be a medium of exchange that can reach out farther than arm's length.
Kiva is a wonderful MFI and donating money to them allows you to follow the story of a small business person that you chooose, anywhere in the world. You can donate as little as twenty five dollars US. Almost all the loans are repaid in full. But currently, although they're doing alright overall, most of their financing is coming from relending - as the loans are repaid people leave the money with Kiva and choose another recipient. Fewer people are jumping in with new money, not surprising with the economy as it is. But I wanted to put in a good word - if any of you are looking for a last minute holiday gift, you can join Kiva and give a gift certificate. The person you gift this to will get to choose and follow the progress of someone who will benefit directly from that investment - and ultimately the investor can re-invest it if they choose once the loan is repaid.
I think it's tempting right now to see our economic situation as being just bleak. And to someone who faces losing a home or a job or having their car repossessed or has lost all the money they've invested, it's a little glib to say "yeah, but look how much abundance we have compared to this person in Cambodia who spends ten hours a day weaving on a loom" but it's also true that we pretend a lot that those other people aren't quite real, at least not as real as us. The abject poverty of a lot of the world while we as a nation buy into diet after diet as we stuff ourselves into obesity and disease is very real. The fact that those very real people that we could reach out to are more than arm's length away can't really be an excuse. The world's gotten too small for that, hasn't it?
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Tink, I like what you say here. I have been giving to different and good non-profits for several years, but have been contemplating the micro-loan concept this year. Hadn’t heard of Kiva, but Siona mentioned MicroPlace, too. It is a way to make this big huge not-as-real-as-us world a bit closer. I think your blog was another nudge to me this morning.
We are All responsible for every one and this includes our neighbour on the other side of the globe….and thank you for this reminder, Jeannie.
Thank you as well for the info regarding Kiva…what a super organization!…(((HUGS)))
“V” and love.
Yes…Kiva is a good investment. Thanks for reminding me.
Excellent perspective. thanks tink.
Great reminder Jeannie. I lost track of the last micro loan place that I donatedto, but I think if was also from a suggestion here on Gaia. I like to know the organization is respected by someone I respect.
I love what you said about money also being time…just in a different form. I think we’re blessed as we give in any form when it comes from a sense of gratitude and love.
First, each of your post has something so special, Jeannie, not just this one. KIVA, YES, for really good value for time aka money aka energy aka Making A Difference.
I’ve been involed with Kiva for a while now, I enjoy thefeeling of making anotherloan. Theywouldhold your money until it was all paid back but now you can relend as soon as a payment is made.