I'm not saying this to sound self-important, but I make a monthly contribution to a charity named Kiva. They specialize in making micro-loans to the poor all over the world with the aim of starting/maintaining/growing local businesses. Each month I take my contribution plus any repayments, and relend that money. I typically lend to women in Mexico, Central, and South America.
Why? Because women in Latin countries typically have much more difficult lives than their "oppressed" American counterparts. Also, by making loans in those countries directly to those who would foster entrepreneurship IN PLACE, I can hopefully do two things simultaneously:
1) Help them grow their businesses and local economies and 2) In doing so over time stem the flow of folks who think they have a need to come here.
I think we should build a wall too, mind you, but it also doesn't hurt if the citizens of those countries believe they have more of a reason to stay than to leave. There's no fool like an old fool, and I'm probably naive to believe I'm making a real difference, but I can hope.
I'm not saying this to sound self-important, but I make a monthly contribution to a charity named Kiva. They specialize in making micro-loans to the poor all over the world with the aim of starting/maintaining/growing local businesses. Each month I take my contribution plus any repayments, and relend that money. I typically lend to women in Mexico, Central, and South America.
ReplyDeleteWhy? Because women in Latin countries typically have much more difficult lives than their "oppressed" American counterparts. Also, by making loans in those countries directly to those who would foster entrepreneurship IN PLACE, I can hopefully do two things simultaneously:
1) Help them grow their businesses and local economies and
2) In doing so over time stem the flow of folks who think they have a need to come here.
I think we should build a wall too, mind you, but it also doesn't hurt if the citizens of those countries believe they have more of a reason to stay than to leave. There's no fool like an old fool, and I'm probably naive to believe I'm making a real difference, but I can hope.