Kiva.org is a great site for connecting micro-lenders in the West with entrepreneurs in developing nations. (It's even been featured on Oprah) The site features profiles of entrepreneurs seeking funding for their small business ventures. Usually, it's someone like a market vendor looking to raise $1000 to repair a roof or plant a new crop. While it may be too much to ask one person to provide the full $1000 for the loan, what if you could pool together small amounts like $25 or $50 from people all over the world to get to that $1000? Once the full amount of the loan has been assembled, a lending specialist in that home country sends the money to the entrepreneur. Over time, the loan is paid back, and each of the original lenders gets their money back in full.
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This is a wonderful idea! It's amazing how a small amount of money (to us) can change another person's life. "Nest" is another organization similar to Kiva. It's a non-profit that funds microloans to women artisans in developing countries. The loan recipients use the money to buy supplies, make products, and build their businesses, all the while developing entreprenuerial and money management skills. Nest also partners with up-and-coming artists in the USA; they design a product for Nest and proceeds from the product sales help fund more microloans. It's a wonderful system of empowerment and development.
www.buildanest.com