Funding Microloans

[HeartfeltHandicraft]

I have 5 sponsored children I support through World Vision, as some of you may already know. I do enjoy sharing about those experiences. I also donate through the gift catalogue from time to time, and so far I've helped to buy livestock, money to support the artisans that make handcrafted gifts, hope for sexually exploited girls, and funds for Syrian refugee children in desperate need of help. I decided that I would put money towards a microloan for the first time.

For those of you that may not be aware, microloans are just another way you can really make a difference in someone's life. In keeping with World Vision's ways to give a hand up rather than a handout, microloans provide an individual with the ability to help provide for themselves. It is a loan that helps provide either supplies, livestock, or something similar. The money is used to purchase the items being asked for so that the person can use it towards their business and pay the loan back. Then, that money is able to go towards helping another person, and it keeps continuing in that manner.

You can go to the Fund A Microloan link on World Vision's page. There, you can read about many different men and women and read their stories. You can find out what industry they are in: sewing, farming, etc. and see what they are intending to do with the loan: buy livestock to produce more crops, supplies to produce food for market, etc. You can choose to donate the entire amount, or a portion of the amount - quite often an entire loan is filled by the donations of several people. Regardless of the loan amount, you will get updates and the ability to see how exactly your money helped.

If you have a certain amount to spend, feel compelled to help people in a specific country or industry, or have something specific in mind - you can search for people using those filters.

I donated a portion of a loan to a woman in Bolivia looking to buy supplies to help her continue to support herself and her children by selling lunch to people in her community. This woman, Victoria Jimenez Guaman, still needs the rest of the loan amount. I am hoping others will be generous and join me in helping. Imagine the difference you can make in one person's life with a small amount of money.

[HeartfeltHandicraft]

Wow, in just a few hours other people helped to pay the remaining amount on the loan for Victoria. I am so excited to see how she does with this opportunity!

I decided to also fund a portion of a loan for a woman named Tiigist Dumo in Ethiopia. She is looking to purchase flour to make more Injera, a traditional food she sells to others. She is my age, and her picture makes me feel as though this soul must have the weight of the world on her shoulders.

I can't help but feel compelled to help a fellow woman out. We may have very different circumstances in life, but I think all of us women know what it feels like coming second in this world that puts men first. SO many times our contributions aren't valued, our opinions are ignored, our opportunities are fewer because we are women. I want to do something about that, even if it's just a little something i can afford.

I am praying that others will help Tigist Dumo too. I am the first to donate towards her loan, so there is much still needed. Please pray for all of those women trying to make it.

[HeartfeltHandicraft]

In just a few hours, the rest of Tigist's loan was fully funded in a few hours too. That is quite amazing. People really do have generous hearts. I am excited to see the opportunities that unfold for her too. I encourage all of you to check out the Ways to Get Involved tab on World Vision's website, where the Fund A Microloan link is located. You may find that someone and their story really speaks to you, and your help would be such a blessing in their life.

[HeartfeltHandicraft]

I guess I can't help myself. I have been amazed the first two times how quickly others funded the remaining balances. I have decided to donate to Jemila Abass from Ghana who is looking for a loan in the grocery business to purchase more groceries. Her husband and she have 2 children, but also care for 4 additional dependants in their home. 6 children to support...I couldn't imagine. I am struggling myself to find my place in the world, I can't help but want to help another lady out that is experiencing hardship too.

[BlueHandsBoutique]

I am in awe.

[HeartfeltHandicraft]

It is kind of amazing, isn't it? Each of the three ladies has already paid 16% or 17% of the loan back already, too. It's such a great way to help another person. And there really are so many different people and causes to choose from.

[BlueHandsBoutique]

I just heard from Leo in Senegal, longest letter back ever. Have you ever sent those magic pen painting books that are invisible till you go over it with the marker? I have a superhero one with Spiderman I was thinking about sending. Have stickers but was thinking what is he really going to do with stickers? Maybe a t-shirt. He wrote about a wrestling match in his village, very cool letter. Holly

[HeartfeltHandicraft]

Wow Holly, it is very interesting to get a peek inside the cultural differences. I remember having those type of magic paint books when I was a kid. Back then, they had ones with hidden ink that would appear when you just went over it with a brush and water. I'm sure he would like those things. I do send stickers, I figure they can decorate their school supplies and that sort of idea.