Helping

Ever since I started to think and question as a teen I wanted to help others. I wondered who were the most in need and what I could do. In the course of that quest I have been actively involved in the pro-life movement, volunteered at a crisis pregnancy center, had a job as clothing room manager for the Milwaukee Rescue Mission women’s and children’s division, and went on a spring break trip to help a farming community recover after a flood. Those are just the things that come to mind in the few minutes I am spending writing. I say all that not to tout my goodness (you all probably know what a spectacular person I am, JK), but to qualify myself as a person who has seen many aspects of people and organizations who are trying to help others in the ways they see as effective. Some of my volunteer and work activities made me feel I was making a difference, some made me cynical and all of them have formed my opinion of the bad, better, and best ways of helping those who need it. Some of my views on this issue are not in the least politically correct, and one of these days I will spout all of my lovely opinions on the subject here on this page for all 2 of my followers to see.

In the meantime, I wanted to let you know about an organization I support that I think has a very effective view on how to help those in the world who can really use it. KIVA. I have supported three entrepreneurs through them, and I think their idea works. They don’t give hand-outs. They provide loans to people in many countries around the world who ordinarily would never have access to loans. These people use the money specifically to expand a business they already have taken the initiative to create, and then pay it back. Except in dire circumstances like post-earthquake Haiti, I believe giving others help with dignity is the best way to go long-term to help people and hopefully, countries prosper. The video below explains more about what KIVA is about.