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Micro-funding a Pakistani woman's business

I just made a microloan to Um-e-Kalsoom Bashir Ahmad's group of Pakistani women carpet weavers, to support the growth of their business. I did this through kiva.org, which made the process incredibly simple even though I had never used it before. However, the current loan for this group is only 10% funded, so it is not certain the loan will be made.

Interestingly, I find myself now inexplicably connected to the lives of a group of women in Pakistan, a country that I really only know of through the narrow lens of the American news media. In a place better known for political turmoil and corruption, nuclear danger and bad actors, I now have a thin thread of connection to real people and real lives. I have put my money to work supporting women and artisans -- a small counterbalance to the money my government spends in less palatable ways.

Views: 38

Comment by Shakwei Mbindyo on May 12, 2010 at 8:56pm
A courageous action that!
Comment by Gene Becker on May 12, 2010 at 9:54pm
Haha Shakwei, thanks! But the funny thing is, it didn't require much courage at all. The emotional and financial risk were no greater than buying a book on Amazon, which I guess is part of the point of why Kiva works -- they lower the barriers for people like me that have the means to loan a few shekels, and that money has asymmetrically higher value to the receipients.
Comment by Gene Becker on May 12, 2010 at 9:58pm
Haha Shakwei, thanks! But the funny thing is, it didn't require much courage at all. The emotional and financial risk were no greater than buying a book on Amazon, which I guess is part of the point of why Kiva works -- they lower the barriers for people like me that have the means to loan a few shekels, and that money has asymmetrically higher value to the receipients.

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