Back in October '06 I shot footage of gypsy businesses in Sliven, Bulgaria with the help of peace corps volunteer Greg Kelly. Greg found out about Kiva last year and wanted to help out the gypsies that he was working with. Thanks to Kiva and Greg, the gypsies in Sliven have received thousands of dollars in loans that they would not have been able to receive from a normal bank! Michael Jacobs used the footage I shot in Bulgaria and has produced a short doc about Kiva and Bulgaria. It is now airing on Current TV!
Kiva lets you connect with and loan money to unique small businesses in the developing world. By choosing a business on Kiva.org, you can "sponsor a business" and help the world's working poor make great strides towards economic independence. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates from the business you've sponsored. As loans are repaid, you get your loan money back.
Take a minute and check out KIVA.ORG and maybe lend a small business some money to help them improve their lives.
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