All you need to know about…

giving happiness global impact

Day 9: The Loan Shark!

I am doing my best to “fly by the seat of my pant”s on my GIVES every day. Today I was getting a little worried. My eyes were wide open but I wasn’t seeing any opportunities to GIVE back. When I got home from all my errands this morning, (playcare, grocery shopping, work errands, conference call, park time) and finally got my son to sleep for a nap, I sat down at my computer and there it was – right in my email.

Today’s GIVE is dedicated to 2 people. My dear friend Mark who has been my number one promoter of 365GIVE and to another friend Kristi who will one day be a super star. Because of them, I have a GIVE today and one that has made me proud.

This is the perfect example of how 365GIVE is already working. Mark told Kristi about 365GIVE and Kristi Googled it to see what I was up to these days. She sent me a fantastic email cheering me and also sent me a list of ideas I could use as GIVES. That’s all it will take to get 365GIVE on the world wide web map and to inspire other people to find one thing in their day they could do to GIVE. Here is the GIVE Kristi inspired me to do today.

GIVE 9 / Day 9

Today I became a loan shark! Maybe a bad use of terms but I joined KIVA today and loaned a group of women in Liberia called God is able to Do it $125 to expand their used clothing business. It works for me on so many levels:

Supporting women that want to be part of the solution to poverty. They have simple goals – they want to support their families, put a roof over their head and provide an education for their children.
Selling used clothing which is better for the environment.
Creating a sustainable business in a place in the world where they need a “hand up” out of their poverty rather than just giving them basic needs to continue in their poverty.  This also creates a long term business for their family and their children.

This is how KIVA works. You go to the site and you make a micro loan. You can choose by gender, location, loan amount. How many times have we all thought at least once, if I could just get a loan I could start my own business. I know I have a million times and I today instead of worrying about the $250,000 loan I need to make 365give a world wide movement, let me practice what I preach and lend what I can to someone who needs more than I do. I may not have $125 to flat out donate, but I could lend it. The loan is paid back and monthly payments will come back to me in New Year. It will be repaid to my credit card, repaid to my KIVA account in which I can then lend again or I can then choose to donate the money out right to KIVA.

In a few months maybe I will need the money back, maybe I will want to reinvest my loan dollars to another group or maybe I will just donate it to a great cause – KIVA. But I have the choice. Not many organizations give you the choice to get your money back after you GIVE it. You can lend just $25 if thats what works for you.

Below is the chart they use on their site to help you understand how the money just keeps flowing rather than being stashed away where it doesn’t help anyone but ourselves. Just give it a try. It may be the one way of giving that really works for you.

Time Commitment: 10 minutes (I took my time deciding on a group to support) Cost: The interest I may loose on $125 over the next few months

What people are saying about 365give

“I wanted to express my gratitude for the teaching you provided today. Your message was delivered eloquently, compassionately, and without judgment. The kids were engaged, and now have knowledge with which they can change the world. We all appreciated how you took the time to help us learn to build positive mindsets and practice happiness.”
Shelley Gardner, Grade 6 Ridgeview Elementary (West Vancouver)
“Actions really do speak louder than words, which is why I believe the 365give Challenge has resonated throughout my community. Every give we do is so important to us and leaves us happier and appreciating our lives a little bit more than before.”
Mahina Niyozova (Tajikistan)
“After watching the 365give TEDx Talk, I was inspired to join and begin a daily giving program in India. Today, along with 12 other volunteer women, we provide 100 meals to local underprivileged children in Bangalore for school every day.”
Deepika Ahuja, Mom (Bangalore, India)
“My life has greater meaning now.”
Renate Jorge, @BeKindBrazil and 365give Member, Family Program (Brazil)
“I just wanted to share that 365give really helped me. I am a better person now, thank you.”
MayLee, 365give Member, Individual Program
“This 365give Challenge has really injected excitement and extra enthusiasm in each work day as I think about what we can do. It has motivated me and the students.”
Cristina Peters, School Counselor (New York City, USA)
“I have seen a huge shift in energy throughout my classroom since doing the 365give Challenge. The Challenge has empowered my students to make a positive difference in the school’s community and beyond.”
Cella Adriana, Special Needs Educator /The Holliswood School (New York City, USA)
“The 365give Challenge helps students understand their impact on others. It opens avenues for introducing and discussing global and local issues in classrooms. It is powerful to watch students of all ages think about how they can make a change in another person’s life with one small act.”
Jessica Hall, Primary Teacher, French Immersion at École Pauline Johnson (West Vancouver, Canada)