#23 help with microfinancing - done
Give a man a fish... teach a man to fish...
As Christians, we are told to give generously. To help those in need. And to love our neighbors as ourselves. It's all good and all but HOW? In 2010, in an episodes of Simpsons, Lisa learns about microfinancing. Basically, it's about loaning small amounts of money to people who can't get normal loans to get them a kick start in their business. The cartoon also showed that these organisations also tends to make a lot of money. Similarly we find that we become more and more skeptical of the way non-profit organisations use their money. Unfortunately, this gives more and more of us excuses to simply keep our wallets closed.Recently, a member of a large non-profit international organisation called me. In the phone call they wanted me to commit to regularly giving money to support aid projects. To which I replied, that's fine, I already give annually. Then the pressure started, oh, we would prefer if you gave weekly instead of annually, that way, we know how much money is coming in. And because my income isn't regular, I said, I'd prefer to pay say $100 a year. Then the sales pitch started, no, we prefer you give $1.50 a week (which makes no economical sense... instead of me giving $100 on the spot). Then they started getting strange on the phone. It's a frustrating experience.
So I have been looking for other ways to give generously. I have recently ticked off #23 on my 30 before 30 list. That is, help out with Microfinancing. The idea is great, giving people who need it a leg up. Unfortunately, the model has it's flaws, the transaction costs associated with establishing a loan is great, and much of the money again is taken up in administrative costs. Nevertheless, someone out there is putting my money to good use, working hard for themselves and paying back their loan. And once it's been repaid, I can once again use that money to fund someone else's project.
If you join with the link below, I can make another $25 loan for free :)
http://www.kiva.org/invitedby/hoiyan3617/for/530273
United stems from Hillsong united and this week's klove free song comes from them. They also have their hands and feet working for Jesus through: http://www.i-heart.org/ Get involved today!
This week's klove free song is Heartbeats- United http://www.klove.com/music/store.aspx
Guitart tabs: http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/h/hillsong_united/heartbeats_crd.htm
Artist: Hillsong United
Album: Zion
Song: Heartbeats
Key: C
Intro (x2): Am G C
Verse 1:
Am
Love strung out
G C
I am found in the price You paid
Am
I know that Your life
G C
Is the blood running through my veins
Am
My eyes fixed wide
G C
On the light of the cross again
Am
I feel the weight drop
G C
In the wake of the empty grave
Chorus:
F Am
I want You, I need You
C
I love You Jesus
F
My heart beats forever
(F)
Just to know You
Am
Let go and throw
C G
My future into Your hands
Am G C
Again
Verse 2:
Am
Heart beats loud
G C
To the sound of a different drum
Am
Calling me out
G C
From the crowd to pursue the One
Chorus 2:
F Am
I want You, I need You
C
I love You Jesus
F
My heart beats forever
(F)
Just to know You
Am
Let go and throw
C G
My future into Your hands
F Am
I want You, I need You
C
I love You Jesus
F
My heart beats forever
(F)
Just to know You
Am
Let go and throw
C G
My future into Your hands
Am G C
Again
Bridge:
Dm Am C G
Break me down till I soar on grace
Dm Am C G
Lead me on through the fire and rain
Dm Am
The rhythm of my heart beats wild
C G
For Your endless praise
Dm Am C G
Every waking hour I will seek Your face
