Getting Back Into the Black

   The Internet has changed our lives in many ways; it can also be used as a tool to change the world, one person at a time.  The Internet is a powerful way to reach a large number of people and maximize effectiveness.   You can improve your vocabulary and feed the hungry for free at www.freerice.com.  Microlending at www.kiva.org  helps people pull themselves out of poverty by matching up $25 loans with entrepreneurs in developing countries.  I’m sure there are hundreds of other worthy causes, if you look for them.   I picked these two because they are great if you want to make a difference and you happen to be a little short on money.   While we dont tithe, we do try to give back to our community in the world around us. So, organizations like  www.kiva.org allows us to do that along with the donations we give to local charities

   If you want to do something while sitting at your pc without spending a dime, www.freerice.com is the site for you.   The premise is simple, you improve your vocabulary by clicking on the answer that best defines the word, for every word you get right, 20 grains of rice are donated to the United Nations World Food program.  The rice is paid for by advertisers that are seen at the bottom of the vocabulary screen.  The website does not make a profit off of their site.  There are great links on their site about where the rice goes, how it’s distributed and what more you can do.   The game is really fun and addictive too. 

   Microcredit is giving small loans to people who are poor, unemployed and considered unbankable.  These are people who could not otherwise get loans.  The practice started in Bangladesh, where  extremely impoverished people were given the opportunity to start their own businesses and get out of poverty.  It’s success has spread and their are several projects that are involved.  I chose www.kiva.org because they seem to be the most highly recommended and you can choose and see directly where your loan will go.   Your $25 loan goes a long way.  You are helping someone to start their own business and become financially successful. The last figure I read, stated that 99.7% of all the money loaned had been repaid.  And it’s the gift that keeps on giving.  Once your $25  has been repaid, you can loan it out to someone else, continuing the cycle.