Microlending is awesome!

[thedivahrrrself]

"Microcredit is the extension of very small loans (microloans) to impoverished borrowers who typically lack collateral, steady employment and a verifiable credit history. It is designed not only to support entrepreneurship and alleviate poverty, but also in many cases to empower women and uplift entire communities by extension. In many communities worldwide, in developed and developing nations alike, women lack the highly stable employment histories that traditional lenders tend to require." ~Wikipedia

Kiva is an organization that allows you to make small loans ($25 or more) to someone as a part of a bigger loan to help their business grow. These people are from all parts of the world, even in the US. They pay you back over time (with a 99% repayment rate), and then you can take the money out or re-lend it again. Find out more here.

Right now, Kiva is offering you the opportunity to make a loan for free (sponsored by the former CEO of Skype). There's no catch. If it's the only loan you ever make, that's OK. Eventually, your person will pay you back, and you can then re-lend the money to someone else.

If you'd like to try out microlending, click here: http://www.kiva.org/invitedby/southernfriedactivist

There is even a BFPlanet group on Kiva, so be sure to check them out on the Community page after you join!