Where Your Money Goes - Kiva.

Since we're all about giving 'round here, each month I donate a portion of profits to a worthy cause. Since this money is really yours, I thought you might like to know where it went and what it does. So every once in awhile, I'm going to pop in here and highlight a charity or cause that you and your money is now helping to support.

This month, actually the past few months, I've been giving to Kiva. If you've never heard of it, get your buns on over to their website and check it out. You'd be hard-pressed to find a more worthy cause. I get all excited just thinking about the amazing work they do!

Kiva is all about facilitating microfinance between people like you and me and entrepreneurs in the developing world, thereby creating a global lending community. The gist is this: you go on Kiva's website and find an entrepreneur you'd like to support. You donate some money,the money is distributed by Kiva's field partners, and as they build their business they pay you back. You can then reinvest the money in another entrepreneur. Pretty cool huh? The process promotes dignity, accountability and transparency, and allows someone in the developing world to change their life. And, almost 83% of loans have been distributed to female entrepreneurs. Go ladies!

I hope you're inspired to give more to Kiva. Its a sustainable, sensible way to help and your heart can feel happy knowing that you've helped someone help themselves.

*All images courtesy of Kiva.org

And so it begins.

As I type this I am in the process of editing and doing layout for my newest line of cards. So exciting! Finally, finally, FINALLY all of our computer woes are resolved and its time to get going! I'm so very excited about these designs - they're fresh, funky and fun, all the things I like my cards to be. There's a lot of designs to layout and samples to print but I'm on my way and I hope to be done this part of the process by the middle of the week.

On another note, its important to me to give back. Really, really important. I've always had a strong sense of social responsibility and I feel as though if I'm going to pursue this venture which I am so fortunate to be able to do, and which brings me so much joy, I should find a way to do something good because of it. I want to donate part of my monthly profits to a worth cause, or causes. Haiti comes to mind, of course, but also Kiva , an amazing organization that facilitates micro loans to entrepreneurs in developing nations. It promotes self reliance, sustainable development, entrepreneurship, skill development, I could go on. So I think this is where my, and your, money will go. That way, when you buy a fun card from me you can feel good in your heart that you're bringing joy to two people - the recipient of your card, and the entrepreneur whose life you're helping to improve.

A win-win, no?