I am feeling warm inside tonight. I gave up some money yesterday.... I feel it's going to a good cause -- a farmer I read about in Togo. It all started after I read an article about a non-profit organization of a different sort. It's called Kiva (means "unite" in Swahili). They don't ask you to donate... they ask you to LEND. The loans go to people in impoverished countries who, with just a small monetary nudge, are able to get ahead. Amazingly, the loan repayback success is excellent. The loans are interest free. So I'm giving it a try. I feel as though I've planted a seed and am thrilled to now watch it grow. And... I did donate a portion... to Kiva, to keep their organization going....

More from Kiva's website, www.kiva.org :

"Kiva lets you connect with and loan money to unique small businesses in the developing world. By choosing a business on Kiva.org, you can "sponsor a business" and help the world's working poor make great strides towards economic independence. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates from the business you've sponsored. As loans are repaid, you get your loan money back.

Kiva partners with existing microfinance institutions. In doing so, we gain access to outstanding entrepreneurs from impoverished communities world-wide. Our partners are experts in choosing qualified borrowers. That said, they are usually short on funds. Through Kiva.org, our partners upload their borrower profiles directly to the site so you can lend to them.

Kiva provides a data-rich, transparent lending platform for the poor. We are constantly working to make the system more transparent to show how money flows throughout the entire cycle."