MicroFinance, Grameen & Kiva

You may have heard of the Nobel Prize winner Dr. Muhammad Yunus who started Grameen Bank, offering micro-finance or micro-credit: small loans (not charity) to impoverished entrepeneurs across the globe.

There are a lot of micro-banks around now and they provide a very powerful alternative to charity - nevertheless, very few enable ordinary individuals like you or me to get involved. 

Kiva was started by a young couple - Jennifer & Matt Flannery - who came up with a very simple way individuals can make a very small loan, at very little risk, to make a big and tangible difference. Kiva is now one of the world's largest micro-finance facilitators and for me a brilliant way to empower some of the world's disadvantaged but hardworking entrepeneurs. 

It's a great example of Gen Y innovation and leadership... check out this short podcast:  Learn About Kiva or check out the website - there's a link on the right sidebar (Little Loans...). 

GenY & the Boomer

Overheard thought bubbles (or maybe just imagined??)...

GenY: I've got lots of ideas on what we can do different - why do you keep blocking me!

Boomer: Look, slow down, be patient, be realistic! I was just like you when I was your age...

GenY: Were you?!?!

Boomer: Absolutely, I thought I could change the world... I thought I could change this place! and I was full of bright ideas and wild dreams...

GenY: Then PLEEEEEEEASE... 

Don't do to me whatever it was that killed all that in you!