What goes around

Economies, education and opportunity in many places around the world are so very different from what we know here in the US. It can be numbingly depressing, really. But the dreams of all people are the same - in our hearts we are all wishing, hoping and working towards the same goals, whether we live in the suburbs or a shack. My KIVA loans help just a few women take their dreams to the next level.

A portion of each of my HELPING HANDS soap sets goes to fund these loans. I have a new batch of them available later this week at Folklife. And will get them back on the website next week (if there are any left).

My personal strategy with these loans: only women, because I am a woman-owned business making it on her own, I want to encourage others to do the same. I try to choose business that are somewhat close to mine - arts & crafts, retail, personal care products. Occasionally I stray if I find someone's need very compelling, but I don't often fund things like farm animals, house building, larger investment groups. And I send every penny of the repayments back into another loan - for the last 5 years.

If you've got a few bucks extra this month, you can loan someone a step up too. Since it's a loan, the money comes back to you, to help yourself, your family or a new loan to somebody else. Ever heard that saying "what goes around, comes around"? It works for good as well as bad. I like to think that these loans are creating some super powerful money karma that just keeps on giving. I keep sending it around over and over. When the day comes that I might need a little extra cash myself, it will be magic!