Not a hand-out, but a hand-up....

The woman pictured above lives in Cambodia. Her name is Um Chantha. She is a 49 year old widow who lives in Phnom Penh with her daughter. She works as a grocer, and her daughter sells clothes in the market, earning six dollars a day.


This man lives in Kirkuk, Iraq. He has a small shop in Kirkuk. He fixes old furniture and sells it. He has a big family. He wants to enhance his family's standard of living. He needs a new carpentry machine and will be able to hire three unemployed people to work on this new machine. He is looking for a better life for his family, and also better conditions for his work .

This woman lives in Mexico. Her name is Esthela and she is originally from Garcia in Nuevo Leon. She is married and has one son, with another child on the way. When her husband was laid off, she opened a seamstress shop. As the cost of maintaining her family increases, she is working to grow this business, making clothing for her neighbors and taking orders from clothing wholesalers. She is known for the high quality of her work. At this time she is asking for a loan of $475 to repair her sewing machines and continue to grow her business. She promises to repay the loan in 4-8 months. All she needs is $150.00 to make this happen.

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These are just three examples of people all over the world who are trying to maintain or start small businesses which will enable them to take care of themselves and their families well into the future.

I came across this unique idea while surfing the web and was impressed by the organization and the philosophy behind it.

Many people argue against charity, saying it is a "hand out". This is not a hand out. It is a hand-up. This is something for you conservatives out there whose philosophical roots are in self-sufficiency and hard work. These people have earned their bonafides. They just need some help to keep it together. And they make a commitment to pay it back. Perhaps you could encourage them to "pay it forward".

People who issue a loan choose the recipient from an entire listing of entrepreneurs. You are able to support and get to know the individual you will be helping.

The name of the organization is Kiva and you can find the listing at www.kiva.org.

Please take a look. If you're anything like me, I wanted to help all of them. As Tevye sang in Fiddler on the Roof "If I were a rich man...." but, alas, I am not. Still, I can't think of a better way to get rid of $25.00.

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Additionally, please take a look at this, if you haven't already. It is another opportunity to give to an organization that is designed and implemented by two individuals who resonate to the cause and the region. AIDS is an issue in many underdeveloped countries (and some developed) and it is killing people at alarming rates. (A post on AIDS another time.)

At any rate, here are two options to check out. Give anonymously or if you prefer a group effort, check the link above. Any way you want, any way you can.

Note: As a low-income person myself, I well understand that sometimes parting with money is not possible. For those of us who have to count pennies to make sure monthly obligations are met, giving to all of the things we'd like isn't always possible.

I will never, ever, ask for money on this blog. I am not asking for money now. I am asking for participation in any manner possible, including spreading the word, talking about the issues... just sharing the energy. Talk to those who can give. It costs nothing to raise consciousness. Every person has the capacity to be of service to others.


Peace,


~Chani