Genealogists Making a Difference

Kiva is "a non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the internet and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world." As a member of the Genealogists for Families team on Kiva, I'm proud to be able to help others improve their lives and their communities.

Kiva maintains a database of people from around the world who have dreams and goals, but lack the means to accomplish them. Kiva then makes it possible for you to help those people realize their goals.

Making loans through Kiva is super easy. Decide how much you're willing and able to loan (there's a $25 minimum), select a recipient from among the many worthy individuals and groups listed on Kiva, and confirm your willingness to contribute to their project.

Kiva is even making it easier to get started than ever! Right now, existing lenders can invite their friends to join and both will receive a $25 credit toward their first loan. So, if you accept my invitation to join Kiva, you and I will both be able to make loans of $25, without having to spend a penny. It's a great opportunity! Just follow this link to join and get $25 to make your first loan.

Generous Genealogists

Over on Google+, I've circled a number of genealogists, and through them, I'm finding more genealogists around the world. This blog post by Judy Webster is just so wonderful that I wanted to share it with you:

Genealogy Leftovers: Genealogists for Families: keeping the memory alive...: "For as long as I can remember, my father set aside a small sum of money that he would periodically lend to a hard-working person in need of short-term help. We called it his 'Do Good Money'. Dad passed away last year at the age of ninety, and I want to honour his memory by continuing his tradition. I have just found an easy way to do so."

Her post goes on to describe the non-profit organisation Kiva, and invites her readers to join her Kiva lending team, Genealogists for Families.
I hope that you will read her lovely post and consider joining her team. It would be lovely if this team could grow to include genealogists from around the world and to become a family tradition for all of our families.