I wrestled in my 20s with the idea of giving away money to assist those in need. On occasion I would empty my pockets of spare change to give to those begging on sidewalks, not because I was feeling especially altruistic but more because I was unsure of what response, if any, to take in situations where the plight of others was more obvious than my own.

I’ve ultimately decided contributing factors to sidewalk desperation are far beyond me and my minor interventions. I took the uneasy position that assisting a problem of need in that way actually helped to enable the need, despite my desire for the situation to be otherwise. I refrain from giving money to spare-changers anymore.

This is why I love what Kiva.org does. Rather than give money away, you lend it to people who can benefit from a micro loan and who have put forth the initiative to establish payback plans. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement. Although lenders do not receive interest, for some of us the notion that their money is being used and will be paid back is enough.

Deb and I for a few years now have gradually increased our loan amounts as each person or group has paid back their loans. It’s not a huge sum of money to us, but it is to the receiver who puts the loan to use to build economic opportunity frequently in areas where such opportunities are limited.

Kiva lenders have the option to add an amount to support Kiva’s administration, a feature unlike many charities that have historically used donations to grow administrative overhead sometimes before actual aid is doled out. (Read Michael Maren’s The Road to Hell for more on that.)

Kiva to me represents a next-best solution for imperfect economic conditions. I can’t recommend it enough. The video below tells more. Enjoy.

A Fistful Of Dollars: The Story of a Kiva.org Loan from Kieran Ball on Vimeo.