Check out Kiva on CNBC's "Business Nation" tonight!

[Guest]

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[KivanSteven]

Very true, there are always those who believe we have to help ourselves (within a given country) before we help others (those outside that given country), and then there are those who very much believe that the worlds problems are all of our problems and indeed often a very real cause of some of our own problems...I dont care much what people think one way or the other, we all play our role and have our purpose, just get out there and do some good and leave the ideologies aside.

[QueenOfHearts]

I get the same message Steve from alot of people I come in contact with...but I have always believed I can do both....still support my local charities and do my part in the worldwide ones....just because I am a Kiva addict does not mean I dont contribute can goods to the local food pantry.

Queen

[KivanSteven]

Definitely, who says you cant do and be both?  Often people are politically motivated or geared one way or the other in a subtle sort of way...someone's view of charity in general often correlates to their views and opinions of the world...but you, me, and anyone can loan to people overseas, while being just as passionate about helping our own communities, and why wouldn't we be anyways...all the while it can be done and committed to without any interference from or bias towards a certain ideology of the world one way or the other...I may or may not be a globalist, but that doesn't imply I have to deny helping people overseas, and just as well I may feel the poorest of the poor should have priority, but again that doesnt imply I have to deny helping people in my own town.  But I guess it comes down to what motivates people, and some are motivated by condition, while others are motivated by what lies nearest to them.

[Wood Fairy Glenda]

Thanks for jogging my mind, Michael and Val & Derek, with your musings about the fact that some people immediately are "hooked"  by the Kiva concept while others "don't get it."   
I searched the word "skunk" in this forum to relocate a discussion some of us had on this topic a long time ago: http://www.kivafriends.org/index.php/topic,656.0.html. Of course, like all our "threads," this one got off its original subject (the earlier posts are the most "on-subject"). The original posts on this subject were here: http://www.kivafriends.org/index.php/topic,559.0.html  (especially Laurie's post on p.4 of this thread).

Since many Kiva Friends have joined the Forum more recently, maybe it's time to revitalize the skunk thread and discuss again why it is that some people are immediately hooked by Kiva and others don't get it. Also, a new discussion of things that make new people more likely to "get it" and join the Kiva community.

[ctjuggler]

I was watching CNBC Business Nation on December 5th (like I often do).  This was the first time I heard about Kiva.  I was so excited about it that I went to Kiva.org before the feature was done & signed up.  I figure rather than risk more money in the stock market chasing a profit for myself it would be better to risk some money through micro credit financing in an effort to create or expand a business for a family in need. 

I think developed countries getting involved in financing micro credit is a great idea.  I hope Kiva will continue to grow there user base as a result of the recent media coverage.

[QueenOfHearts]

And welcome to our community.....

Queen