General Discussion

bif

(22,685 posts) Sat Nov 10, 2012, 07:32 PM Nov 2012

Anybody know what the best micro loan site is?

I saw a show on PBS about this program a while back. It lets individuals loan money to small businesses in 3rd world countries. Just wondering if anyone has done this and can recommend a good organization.

9 replies

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Highlight:

Anybody know what the best micro loan site is? (Original Post) bif Nov 2012 OP

kiva is one of the best I know. niyad Nov 2012 #1

Thanks! bif Nov 2012 #2

Have you visited your local SBA office? President Obama has repeatedly promised to help small jody Nov 2012 #3

That's just for people in the US. Mico loans are worldwide RB TexLa Nov 2012 #4

Mea culpa, you are correct. I've followed micro-loans for several years and each is country jody Nov 2012 #5

This message was self-deleted by its author jody Nov 2012 #6

Not sure of the intent of your OP but at a lesser scale I've given Christmas gifts to special people jody Nov 2012 #7

I'd like to help someone in a 3rd world country bif Nov 2012 #8

Please consider Heifer International. Charity Navigator score 55/70 jody Nov 2012 #9

niyad

(113,074 posts)

1. kiva is one of the best I know.

Reply to bif (Original post)

Sat Nov 10, 2012, 07:35 PM

Nov 2012

www.kiva.org

bif

(22,685 posts)

2. Thanks!

Reply to niyad (Reply #1)

Sat Nov 10, 2012, 07:41 PM

Nov 2012

That's what it looked like from what I found doing an internet search. There was a group mentioned on the PBS show where you actually contact the person who's using your money. It looked real cool.

jody

(26,624 posts)

3. Have you visited your local SBA office? President Obama has repeatedly promised to help small

Reply to bif (Original post)

Sat Nov 10, 2012, 07:55 PM

Nov 2012

businesses and I'm confident they can help you.

http://www.sba.gov/

For a small business loan you need a realistic business plan to show you will be able to replay the loan.

Your local SBA office is supposed to help you prepare that plan. If not they are a failure, IMO!

RB TexLa

(17,003 posts)

4. That's just for people in the US. Mico loans are worldwide

Reply to jody (Reply #3)

Sat Nov 10, 2012, 07:57 PM

Nov 2012

jody

(26,624 posts)

5. Mea culpa, you are correct. I've followed micro-loans for several years and each is country

Reply to RB TexLa (Reply #4)

Sat Nov 10, 2012, 08:08 PM

Nov 2012

dependent and they come by other names.

Suggest you visit Microcredit as a start.

Response to jody (Reply #5)

jody This message was self-deleted by its author.

jody

(26,624 posts)

7. Not sure of the intent of your OP but at a lesser scale I've given Christmas gifts to special people

Reply to bif (Original post)

Sat Nov 10, 2012, 09:08 PM

Nov 2012

by donating in their name to Heifer International

In a small way that's really a micro-loan.

My son-in-law tells a wonderful tale of being asked by his colleagues what he got for Christmas and he replied "A goat!".

He then had an opportunity to explain how such an insignificant gift by our standards could change the future for poor people so far away.

bif

(22,685 posts)

8. I'd like to help someone in a 3rd world country

Reply to jody (Reply #7)

Sun Nov 11, 2012, 01:00 PM

Nov 2012

With a loan to help them start a business. Sometimes it's only a couple hundred dollars that can make a huge difference.

jody

(26,624 posts)

9. Please consider Heifer International. Charity Navigator score 55/70

Reply to bif (Reply #8)

Sun Nov 11, 2012, 01:28 PM

Nov 2012

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3809

I've given Heifer gifts to family and special friends for over a decade and again this holiday season.

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