RIPPLES OF HOPE

Bonnie MacDonald

We would like to introduce our most recent contributor to New Perspectives, Bonnie MacDonald.
Bonnie's positive attitude and outlook will be a definite asset to the section that is meant to be uplifting. We welcome Bonnie and know that you, our readers, will enjoy her take on life.
It seems that more and more people are exhausted by the aggressive advertising and consumerism of the holidays season and are looking for an alternative way of celebrating. The path of alternative gifting used to be "the road less travelled", but after listening to recent holiday conversations it appears that many people are opting for this route.

The "road less travelled" is becoming a busy one filled with happy faces, for the elusive holiday spirit has not been found at the shopping mall, but in the act of sharing. Sharing is fun and the possibilities are endless, from sharing time with an elderly neighbour or a young single parent to sharing with less fortunate families here in Canada or in distant
countries.

The gifts that caused the greatest excitement and interest at our house last December were gift certificates from the Kiva website. Kiva is a non-profit organization that makes it possible for you to lend to entrepreneurs of your choice in the developing world, thus empowering them to lift themselves out of poverty.

It is not a handout, but truly a helping hand. One is able to give a person in a developing country the opportunity to move towards economic independence and thus provide a stable life for his or her family. After browsing the entrepreneurs' profiles on the website, you are able to choose to whom you would like to make a loan.

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13/01/2009 04:23 PM

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Possibly you would agree to lend $25.00 to a travelling doctor in Peru who wishes to buy more medicine or make a small loan to a single mother in Nigeria who would like to purchase more supplies for her open air market.

The possibilities are endless!

Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can opt to receive email journal updates and track repayments. Then, when your loan is repaid, you can lend again to someone else in need or withdraw your money. It's such a fun way to share! Even if you decide not to make a loan, simply reading through the profiles of the entrepreneurs is an educational and rewarding family experience.

At the time of writing this article the Kiva website stated that to date $585,175.00 had been lent that week alone, funding 1576 entrepreneurs in developing countries. Caring people are reaching out to help and Kiva is making it all possible!

For more information about Kiva be sure to check out their website at www.kiva.org. Bright colourful gift certificates can be printed directly from the website.

Happy Holidays!

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