I’ve been threatening for a while now to adopt a potbelly pig. My friends look at me like I’m crazy anytime I bring it up. Unfortunately for them I’m used to people looking at me crazy so it has very little impact. But deep in the back of my mind I know that a 300 pound porker barreling through my house full of breakables and light colored furniture is probably the last thing I need in my life right now. So for now, my home remains hog-free.
Instead I’ve decided to channel my adopt-a-pig thoughts to a more productive place. At the suggestion of my friend Todd, I recently created an account with Kiva with an initial $250 investment. If you aren’t familiar with Kiva, it is a non-profit, person-to-person, micro-lending website that focuses on finding individuals who are willing to lend directly to entrepreneurs in the developing world. My plan is to invest in projects where entrepreneurs (preferably women) are interested in creating or growing a business that involves purchasing and raising swine.
My first investment is with Isabel, a 54 year old woman in Paraguay who owns a pantry from where she sells basic everyday food products. She also offers home deliveries and supplies other businesses in the area. Isabel requested a $700 loan from the Kiva network in order to buy stock for her store, as well as pigs and chickens to rear, so she can offer a better supply to her customers.
I’m happy to report that between myself and 13 other investors from around the United States and Canada, Isabel has received her $700 loan. She will repay us over the next 12 months.
I’m excited to be involved in this project, and I look forward to being involved in more Kiva projects in the future. I’ll keep you posted.