I'm probably the last one to find out, but yesterday I stumbled upon this great site where you can make small loans ($25) directly to entrepreneurs around the world. The organization is called Kiva.org and they have already facilitated over $100 million in loans. With a 1% default rate and 97% in-full on-time repayment of loans! Wow.


The thing I love about this is that it is not a bank. The people taking out the loans are not faced with a 25% (or higher) interest rate. This can well be the difference between working to pay the interest or working to build up a business. And a life.


Also, it is not a donation. This is good because I don't really believe in aid except for emergency situations. Structural aid weakens the economy of a society, small business loans strengthens it. 


So I got into it. I put in $150 (100 euro) and made loans to three different entrepreneurs in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan (countries that I visited during my cycling trip). If all goes well, the loans will be repaid in a few months. I can then lend out the money again. So instead of a single donation, I get to help people over and over again with the same 100 Euro. 


This must be the best investment I have ever made.