Project for Lent
I just read in the Fortune Magazine about two donation websites that put people who request for loans or donations in touch with those who are willing to loan or donate. Both of these websites are non-profit organizations. One is Kiva and the other is Donorschoose.
Kiva focuses of the poor from any part of the world who need loans. It works similar to the world famous Grameen Bank. People who loan money via Kiva expect the loans to be repaid. Kiva’s purpose besides getting the two sides together, it also provides an opportunity for the loan provider to keep up-to-date of the progress of the loan requester’s business undertaking or project.
Donorschoose on the other hand only focuses on American institutions and gravitate more towards requests from public schools that are unfunded and want to undertake certain projects. Naturally being donations there is no payback. However, the donor is able via the website view the progress of the beneficiary’s project.
I think that this is a marvelous project that Catholics can undertake during Lent and of course carry through beyond Lent, for life even. This is a great way to give alms and also be involved. Usually when we give alms we have no idea what happens to the money we donate. This is precisely what the poor need, an opportunity, not simply our well wishes.
