Moments of Clarity

Kiva.org update

I was just informed that my Kiva.org microloan has been fully repaid.  I had a small part in helping a businessman in Africa expand his enterprise.  Now my money is ready to be redistributed.  I really feel a sense of satisfaction KNOWING that the money went to a MAN trying to grow a SMALL BUSINESS and that it resulted in something tangible.  Now I can reloan the cash to another business in a very challenged area that wants to CREATE instead of simply GET.

A Promise Called Iowa (on IPTV)

All I can say is wow.  I put the kids to bed last night and decided to watch TV for an hour and accidentally came across, "A Promise Called Iowa".  (The link gets to you to the home page for the program and includes video clips, etc..).

I sat there mesmerized by Iowa's ex-governor Robert Ray as he help unfold the story of Iowa's lead role in stepping up to take refugees in the post-Vietnam war era.  Of most interest was the acceptance of an entire community of refugees at one time, the Tai Dam, that took a special exemption from President Ford. 

Maybe every Iowan walking around already knows tales of this era...but as a transplant I was completely ignorant. 

I'd highly recommend that you seek out and watch this program.  If I read things properly on the website, I believe it's on again June 21st, at 7PM.  It's an invigorating and humbling experience. 

I am a proud Iowan.

Kiva.org update

I got an email the other day that my loan recipient from Kiva.org has made his first repayment toward the $800 he received to grow his beauty shop in Africa.  I never intend to get the money back...but once it's returned to you, of course you can re-lend it and make a difference in someone's else's life.

Please explore this option in 2007 if you haven't already.  The Micro-Lending concept is so powerful...especially in places where $800 is like a VC home run.

Blessings to Kiva members, volunteers, and organizers.

Kiva Update - Joseph Is Funded!

Joseph Okia, the Ugandan hair salon entrepreneur's $800 micro-loan is fully funded and he's on his way!  I haven't checked back since I made my loan a few weeks ago to Kiva, the great organization that facilitates micro-lending in very economically challenged areas.  I'm very pleased and can't wait to see his progress.    

I feel like a million bucks...and it cost me $50

After reading about and understanding what Kiva.org does...I've just made a loan of $50 to Joseph Okia.
Please click on his name for a link to his business profile and what he's trying to accomplish.

Joseph is caring for his deceased sister's two kids, and trying to grow his barber shop and open a women's beauty salon in Mbale Uganda. 

Kiva has such a smooth process and it took me about 60 seconds to execute my loan.  At the publishing time of this post, Joseph needs about $625 more to reach his goal of $800.  Can you believe that $800 can help revolutionize a struggling father's life!  And, you're not just donating money and hoping that an agency buys him food and clothes...you're actually helping him to create and grow a thriving business that will hopefully lift he and his family out of their current state and into prosperity.  There is a FULL intention to pay the loan back.  I will likely just redistribute the money once repaid, but this concept is exactly what my "inner giver" is looking for.  Give a man a fish and he eats once...teach a man to fish...and he'll eat for life.  I feel like I just bought Joseph a fishing rod, reel, some Berkley trilene, and a big ol' tackle box full of spinner bates and rubber worms.

I'm very excited about this organization and will likely invest more as we go along.

Here's my Kiva Lender Profile.