How do you feel about charity?

Giving is important for a lot of people. Personally, I'd never feel comfortable just handing some panhandler on the street some cash. You never know what they're going to spend the money on. What would twenty dollars really get that person anyways? A few liters of vodka? A couple sandwiches from Subway? Some meth? An axe handle to beat you with?

I like to know where my money is going, even if it's a small amount.

I came across a program at www.kiva.org that has an interesting approach to giving. It allows you to fund business loans for people starting businesses in third-world countries. With a minimum donation of twenty-five dollars, you can choose a business listed and help fund its development. If you're like me and don't have a lot of money to give, your money will have a lot more impact in third-world countries.

As the money is paid back, you get an email every time a payment comes in. Businesses you fund also post journal entries describing what they're doing with your money, how the business is going and so on.

Very interesting, check it out.