One of the really great things about teaching budding entrepreneurs is that sometimes they come back to tell you how much they've used what they learned or what an impact you had on their lives. I think that's why a lot of people have found so much joy in teaching. I don't know about you but the days when someone takes the time to tell me how much they appreciate what I did are the best days of all. Some of them thank you in a way that just keeps on giving. Recently, I received a gift certificate for Kiva.org from a wonderful young entrepreneur named Rodney Halimi. It wasn't a large amount of money; it was about how much I could do with a very small amount of money. I could become a lender and lend that money to an entrepreneur on the other side of the world who needed a boost. So off I went to www.kiva.org with my gift certificate to see what I could find.
What a surprise! There are a lot of great people out there trying to better their lives by starting and operating small businesses in everything from agriculture to retailing. I decided to look for a female entrepreneur (for obvious reasons) in South America (for the not-so-obvious reason that I speak Spanish) and before long up popped Fanny, a single woman living in Puno, Peru. She has a store in the middle of town where she sells household goods. What I liked about her was her smile and the fact that she has big plans to grow her business and become the best in the town. So, without further thought, click, click and I had lent her the money from my certificate. Of course, that money goes into an account until the total amount she requested is reached and then Fanny receives it. Now I'll receive regular updates of how she's doing in her quest. Boy, do I feel good.
I have to congratulate Founder/CEO Matt Flannery for a fantastic socially responsible business and he has gathered a very impressive board of advisors to support his efforts. What a wonderful way to do a lot of good for a budding entrepreneur without spending a lot. Thank you Rodney! And what a great gift to give someone you want to thank so they can pass it forward. Now, I think I'll head back and invest my own money - I'm hooked.
