The whole torture debate, conservative flailing over who is to blame for 9/11, the dread that the public will vote to keep the angry buffoons in charge, etc. ad nausem - it's all making it difficult to get a breath of fresh air. It all makes me want to do something positive.
I wanted to support President Clinton by giving to his foundation, but couldn't find a link for monthly giving. Right now, with so much big going down, I just don't feel like one $50 donation isn't going to mean that much to a foundation that's hitting up the big money guys for billions.
Instead, I've decided to try setting up a Kiva microloan account. Kiva lets you make micro-loans to specific entrepreneurs in developing countries. (More here.) I've looked through the entrepreneurs who raising funds and I've chosen three.
One is actually a partnership of six women in Mbale, Uganda who call themselves the
Dembe (Peace)
group. They need a loan of $1000 to build up their stock. Each of the women actually runs her own small business and they share resources. They sell vegetables, charcoal, firewood, and sew clothing.
Here's their Kiva page. I chose this group because I liked the way they are all working together and supporting each other. I've lent them $50, but they still need $250.
The second is Aruto Judith Marta. She needs a loan of $800 to purchase more stock for her pharmacy in of Mbale, Uganda. Here's her Kiva page. I chose her because her shop not only supports her and her family, but also helps meet the health needs of her neighborhood. I've lent her $50, but she still needs $325.
The third is Josefina Galo. She needs a loan of $300 to buy supplies for her tortilla business in Comayaguela, Honduras. Here's her Kiva page. Honestly, I chose her because she looks like a sweet mom and her photo made me want to try her cooking. I've lent her $50, but she still needs $75.
I know it's a bad time to be pushing a charity smack in the middle of a push for campaign contributions. The thing is, I didn't sign up when I first saw the website a few months ago, but the faces and the profiles stuck with me. They just strike me as people who absolutely refuse to let poverty win.
(Note: Kiva's been diaried before, but the last one that got much attention was back in February. Hopefully this diary isn't too much repetition.)