[cooltheplanet] A gift for the person who have everything...and wants to share

[Tree Hugger]

There are endless gift ideas for 'the person who has everything', which inevitably manifest themselves in internet and magazine ads around the major gift-giving seasons. These are usually along the lines of ridiculously frivolous items - monogrammed key fobs and the like - the idea being to notch up the frivolity for those who are already maxed out on luxury items.

Kiva (http://www.kiva.org/) has come up with a concept for those-who-have-it-all and want to give back to those who need a helping hand. With the motto "loans that change lives", Kiva enables individuals to make micro-loans (as small as $25) to entrepreneurs in developing countries who are working to raise themselves out of poverty. As the entrepreneur achieves profitability, he/she pays back the loan, enabling the 'investor' to make another loan. As a gift idea, this couldn't be easier, since Kiva allows gift-givers to purchase on-line gift certificates for micro-loans, send the certificate to a recipient and let them choose a loan 'borrower'. Perfect for last-minute gifts and, of course, for those who have no need for more stuff in their lives.

Kiva represents a trend that I hope will expand in our American mentality, where many of us have so much that we can share with those who have very little. Twenty-five dollars may not seem like a lot, but to a grocery vendor in Rwanda, it can make all the difference in the world.

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Posted By Tree Hugger to cooltheplanet at 6/20/2008 07:38:00 AM