Christmas gift suggestion if you're wracking your brain: Kiva

[AreaCode707]

Inspired by vi_edit's thread on Christmas, but thought I'd prefer not to bury it in that thread.

I know gifts to charity in the name of the recipient is not a new idea, but I did want to suggest Kiva to anyone who is considering what they should get for a friend, relative, coworker, etc.

http://www.kiva.org/

My boss got me a Kiva gift certificate for Christmas two years ago and I can honestly say it's been one of my favorite presents. WAY better than a bottle of wine or some useless desk trinket. I really enjoyed researching the available loan applicants, and I've sunk that same loan amount back in repeatedly so I have often gone back and appreciated the gift at a later date and thought well of my boss for giving it to me.

I think I may have my teenagers (youth group) bring $10 this year in place of a secret santa and put it into Kiva instead, pairing up to select who they want to loan to. Or at least use a Kiva gift certificate as my secret santa gift in the game.

If you're not sure what to get someone, I do seriously encourage you to consider Kiva. It's fun, different and beneficial. Better use of money than the plastic crap from Taiwan that is sitting on store shelves right now.

(Plus you can join Team Anandtech if you are so inclined. )

I'm not usually an advertising whore online but I think for once this is worth it. So much money is being spent right now on stuff that will immediately collect dust. Consider a microloan gift certificate instead. I enjoyed receiving it, and I bet most other people would too.

 

[h8red]

very cool info!! I'll try to remember this. I told my in-laws and my family that I didn't want any gifts for X-mas but if they insist, I think this will be my choice!

 

[KMFJD]

Why does this remind me of this?

Those are some killer interest rates...35.21%

 

[AreaCode707]

Why does this remind me of this?

Those are some killer interest rates...35.21%

IIRC, Kiva has different charities managing their microlending. You can pick to lend through the charity of your choice on the site. There's good rating, overhead, repayment and other per-charity data available for each organization so you can select one that you feel comfortable with.

 

[vi edit]

Interesting. It's like an international prosper account meshed together with those "adopt an african kid" infomercials.

Not slamming it, just still trying to absorb to concept.