Monday, July 23, 2007

Charlotte Observer | 07/22/2007 | Site enables anyone to use small loans to change lives a world away

Charlotte Observer | 07/22/2007 | Site enables anyone to use small loans to change lives a world away: "Site enables anyone to use small loans to change lives a world away
MEGHA SATYANARAYANA
meghas@charlotteobserver.com


A shoe saleswoman in Mexico. A cement seller and a soft drink vendor in Azerbaijan. A Kenyan woman in need of a cow. These four people needed loans their local banks could not provide, so 23- year-old Will Nathan became their lender through Kiva.org.

All while sitting on his couch in Charlotte.

Nathan is at the forefront of an emerging form of grassroots philanthropy that makes everyday people microfinancers. Working through the Kiva.org Web site, they make small loans to entrepreneurs who are trying to dig out of poverty in third world countries.

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