In the days before the internet, being a Bahai and trying to help the poor could be a little bit more challenging than it is today. If you want to help struggling families on the other side of the world, but don’t know where to start or how to go about it, then consider the web-based microloan service Kiva.
Kiva is a non-profit organization that helps the less fortunate via loans given by people such as yourself to help them purchase whatever they need to maintain their livelihood. You can loan as little as $25 to make a big difference in someones life. Loans eventually get paid back, and then you can re-loan the money again. Kiva has a How it Works page which explains more about the mechanics of loaning via the service.
So far there are roughly 350 Baha’is on Kiva making a difference to people on the other side of the planet, who aren’t necessarily in their midst. How much of a difference did they make? Try a whopping $1.4 million difference in over 6600 different loans.
The best part of the whole operation is that 100% of the money you loan (yes that’s right), goes to the people in need! Kiva doesn’t even take a cut. So how does it remain afloat, I hear you ask? Well you can also make donations to Kiva to allow it to continue helping others.
So come join the Baha’i lending team on Kiva and help make a difference to families around the world.
The poor in your midst are My trust; guard ye My trust, and be not intent only on your own ease.