Confused.com’s Owe Carter thinks a loan to an entrepreneur in the developing world could be the ideal Christmas gift.
I am rubbish at buying Christmas presents. Despite being in the business of saving money, when it comes to choosing gifts, I may as well place a bulk order with Landfill Inc and be done with it. However, this year I’m going to see that the money goes to someone who knows what to do with it.
Lendwithcare.org, a branch of Care International UK, arranges microloans for budding entrepreneurs in the developing world – and you can be the lender.
If you like to know what your money's doing, this good cause carries the benefit of being totally tangible - as you can choose who you're lending to, and it's not just going into a faceless bucket.
For example, I have lent £15 to Baligueda Mensah, who runs a market stall in Togo. She sells her own fruit juice and lollies, and is looking to buy herself a new freezer for her business. When she gets it, and makes enough money from her business, the loan is repaid, and I can put it back in my account – or I could reinvest. It’s the best way to ‘give’ during times of recession, as you get your money back. The only downside is that I don’t get to sample her pineapple and lemon lollies.
If you're thinking of giving someone money for Christmas, then why not get them a lendwithcare voucher? That way they get their money – but not before it's been to the other side of the world and changed someone's life!
Find out more about how lendwithcare works.
Recent Comments