Giving to Others to Make Yourself Feel Good

For a few years now, I have been a microfinancier. What's a microfinancier? Microfinance is a concept that was developed by Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank in Bangladesh. He made small loans with low interest to village women. By doing so, the women able to not only repay the money borrowed, but to become self-sufficient. They were able to help their families because they could use the loans to purchase the goods or equipment they needed to make their business profitable. By repaying the loans, the women were able to show others in their village that it was possible to find a way out of poverty. People could work together to improve their living conditions, and to support on another.

I have been a member of Kiva.org for over three years. They are an organization that makes helps facilitate the microloan process. As of November, 2009, Kiva.org members have generated over $100 million in loans for small business owners around the world. The amount a person gives can be as little as $25. I have financed businesses in Tajikistan, Nicaragua, Lebanon, and the US. And yes, I've gotten my money back. But instead of pocketing it, I've put it right back into other microloans.

Another project I recently started supporting is DonorsChoose.org. This organization seeks to supply classrooms with needed supplies by allowing people to donate to them. You can search by city, state, or keyword for a project or school you would like to support. Last week I decided to check it out, and found two project in my area that I wanted to support. I was the first to donate to either, and only gave a small amount to both. In an hour, one was fully funded, and the second was fully funded within another day. Thanks to a small group of people, 47 kids now have the tools they need to learn and enjoy school! It is an organization I plan to continue supporting in the future.

You may not get a 'thank you' for the work you do every day, but I want you to know that it is appreciated by someone. You may think that your work is small and does not make a difference, but if you have helped one person today, that one person appreciates what you did for them. And all of our small efforts together form a mighty change. So, thank you for your work today and everyday.