Each month, we at Gardenologist give a small donation to Kiva, an international group who gives “loans to change lives.”

Who/what is Kiva?

You’ve no doubt heard the old adage “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”

Kiva operates very much on that principle, only it doesn’t teach, but lends the money to help others learn, start businesses or improve their lives in many different ways.

So, although we don’t know who stated the aforementioned proverb, we do know that the sentiment — alleviate poverty by facilitating self-sufficiency – is one that Kiva shares.

“We envision a world where all people hold the power to create opportunity for themselves and others”

is printed in big, bold letters on the group’s website.

Kiva was started in San Francisco in 2005 and has grown to become international in its scope.

With as little as $25, the public is invited to loan money to any of the thousands of people worldwide who have asked for help.

We here at Gardenologist, in keeping with our passion, decided to loan money to those seeking help to either start or maintain an agricultural businesses. But we don’t stop there. We look specifically for female entrepreneurs in countries where women (especially widows and seniors) struggle just to meet the basic necessities of life.

We currently have three loans outstanding and receive repayments from the recipients on a regular basis. As soon as the repayments reach $25 we choose another woman who needs help.

Beginning in April, 2024, there will be a dedicated space here on Gardenologist.org where you can catch up with how we are helping women in agriculture across the globe.

Thanks for helping us change the world.

Photo courtesy of By CIAT – 2DU Kenya 86, CC BY-SA 2.0