kiva

I'm really starting to really like PayPal as a company! a few months ago they offered a $5 bonus to a donation made thru their app. I, of course, took advantage of that offer and donated my monthly give to Planned Parenthood. a couple weeks ago they offered a $25 future credit for lending a minimum of $25 on Kiva. I had heard of Kiva but hadn't really looked into it before but, again, I took advantage!

there are TONS of people you can lend to, in any amount, in like many counties, for a million different reasons. I was only planning to lend $25 (sort of matching my monthly donation), so I sorted the borrowers by how much remained of their ask. there were three women just short $25 of raising their total: two from the Philippines (there are a lot of borrowers from the Philippines I think?) and one from Uganda. one wanted funds to buy additional merchandize for her bodega, another wanted money for feed for her animals, and Sifa, from Uganada, asked for funds to expand her clothing business.

I chose Sifa, because she's a refugee and because this was included in her ask: Sifa is grateful that the income will help her to grow her business while increasing her income.

almost immediately after checking out, I got a message from Kiva and PayPal saying I got another $25 to lend next time. for no particular reason, I think I'm going to wait till December to lend it out.

this is separate from my november donation since this is technically a loan so I guess I'll eventually be paid back. mentally, I'm treating this as a donation. especially since I'm pretty sure I'll never "cash out" and will keep my funds cycling thru Kiva as long as I can. what an incredible service!