When you think about helping someone in need, a donation feels like the obvious answer. It’s simple, generous, and immediate. You give money, they receive help. Everyone feels good — win-win, right?
But what if there’s a way to go beyond feeling good — and actually help someone reclaim their independence?
The Power of Dignity
For people facing poverty, dignity and self-worth are often the first casualties. Relying on handouts, while sometimes necessary, can slowly chip away at someone’s confidence and sense of control. Over time, they may begin to feel stuck — dependent, rather than empowered.
And here’s something important I’ve learned: most people in poverty don’t want more handouts. They want a chancea path forward. They want the opportunity to build a life they can be proud of.
A Better Path: The Story of a Cow and a Loan
Take the story of a family I came across. Faced with rising school fees, they were considering selling their family cow to send their daughter to school. A one-time donation could have helped, sure. But a loan? It did more.
A micro-loan from Kiva covered the fees and let them keep the cow. They used the cow’s milk to earn money, repaid the loan over time, and came out stronger, not weaker. They didn’t fall further into dependency — they rose with dignity. Their daughter went to school, they gradually moved out of poverty and their self-esteem soared.
The Gift That Keeps Giving
That’s the beauty of micro-loans. They don’t just provide relief — they are a catalyst, an opportunity for personal growth.
Through Kiva, you can make a micro-loan for as little as $25. You choose who you support — a farmer, a shop owner, a student. When they repay the loan, you can reinvest that same money to help someone else. Over and over again.
It’s not charity. It’s transformation.
Ready to Change a Life?
Empower someone today. Give them more than money — give them a chance to thrive.