As many of you are aware, HarmonyWishes supports the great efforts of Kiva to transform our world for the better through micro-finance.  You can read more about our link with Kiva here and here. Join us in supporting small entrepreneurs across the globe.  I had the opportunity to watch a talk given by Kiva co-founder, Jessica Jackley, through the TED site.  In the talk she maps her personal journey from Sunday School at age 6 to interviewing small entrepreneurs in Africa, to finally taking the plunge and adding her own innovation to the system, which took the form of Kiva.  Take a look for yourself:

Jackley’s message of hope through storytelling hits a particular chord with me, as I see that as fundamental to the work I do in Oaxaca.  Whether I’m teaching young people in villages to create radio pieces, helping individuals to interweave their social and environmental projects at the Hub, or assisting Xaquixe, and eco-glass studio, to share their innovations with their industry and community–pointed storytelling is at the root of the work.  Narrative is at the root of connection.  And as Jackley comments, “The way that we participate in each others’ stories is of deep importance.”

I used to work for a Unitarian minister and author named Forrest Church who would say “We humans are not the animal with tools or the animal with advanced language. We are the religious animal. Knowing we must die, we question what life means. Who are we? Where did we come from? Where are we going? And, most important of all-in part because we can answer it directly, in deeds of love and works of praise-How can I live in such a way that my life will prove worth dying for?”  I would add onto what Forrest said something that Jackley inspire–that our ability to share how we live, and how we struggle, that that is what is infinitely human, as well.

Jackley’s newest innovation is ProFounder, that she mentions briefly in the close of her TED talk.  It’s a new tool to help small businesses raise the funds they need to grow from their own communities of family and friends (it turns out that almost 85% of funding for small businesses comes from family and friends–according to Jackley, that’s about 130 billion dollars a year!).  I think it sounds like an amazing idea.  Travel on over to Profounder’s site if you’re interested in finding out more.  And by all means, start participating in someone else’s story–or share your own.  Do it here on our blog!  We’re continually inspired by what we hear from the larger world.

Cheers,

Megan

Looking for a holiday gift idea? Not seeing anything that’s quite right at your local gift card kiosk? Our favorite idea is a gift card from Kiva. You can introduce someone to micro-lending by giving them credit to make a loan. They are great not just for friends and family, but also an amazing gift to send to your business clients.

Kiva Gift Cards range in value from $25 to $10,000. Gift recipients log on to Kiva and select an entrepreneur that they want to fund. After the Kiva Gift Card is used, the lender can monitor and watch for updates about their borrower. Once the loan-term has ended, the amount is returned to your gift recipient where they can make another loan…and another loan…and another loan. It truly is the gift that keeps on giving!

We at HarmonyWishes have been lending at Kiva since December of 2008 and proudly support their efforts to help alleviate global poverty. For more information, click HERE to purchase a Kiva Gift Card today!

And swing on back by to HarmonyWishes after you do for your electronic greeting card needs!

One of the things I like the most about Kiva is their ability to help transform lives through hope, not just money. The concept of micro-credit and its ability to provide a hand up with dignity is a program that HarmonyWishes is proud to support.

This month to celebrate Kiva’s 5th birthday, the Omidyar Network has provided a grant to help spread the word about Kiva. If you, as a lender, get five of your friends to make a loan on Kiva, they will provide a $25 credit to your account – how cool is that! There’s less than a week left to take advantage of this challenge grant, so head on over to Kiva and get started. Here’s a quick link for you: Kiva Challenge

Here’s a great video by Kieran Ball on Kiva and the loan process. Take a look:

Happy Birthday Kiva!

Have you ever wondered how microfinance organizations like Kiva work?  Well, one part is their Fellows program.  It’s an unpaid volunteer position designed to increase Kiva’s impact in the field.  You need to be able to commit a minimum of three months in another country.  It offers a rare opportunity to travel abroad and witness the impact and realities of microfinance.

The latest group of Kiva Fellows has just finished training and are ready to embark on their various assignments in different parts of the world.  They definitely rock in more ways than just musically, but even in that area they are impressive!

If it sounds like something that might be right for you, check out the Kiva site for more details.

It’s no secret that HarmonyWishes has a soft spot for Kiva – the microfinance organization that lends money around the world. We use a portion of our proceeds to make loans to people all around the globe. Here are just a few:

We would love it if you would join our lending team and help us spread good will, good fortune and support to provide a dignified means of lifting people up out of poverty. It’s simply good karma. Just click on our link to find us at Kiva: HarmonyWishes Lending Team