My Big Four-Oh And Kiva

All these years, the only time I ever felt like, "oh my, I feel old" was when I started 8th grade. At age 13, I wondered just HOW did I get so far? And that feeling stayed with me for a couple years! But since then it has been smooth sailing, the 20s were welcomed enthusiastically, 30s were mostly ignored: I still looked and felt like I was in my mid-20s. Plus I had three older sisters..who would, well, always be older, consequently making me feel younger. I always believed that I would age gracefully, knowing how to handle it.

I was absolutely...WRONG! 3 months before my birthday, I got glasses. My eyes were probably weak for a while, I just decided to do something about it only now. While I had been planning my 40th birthday for a while, the realization of what it meant only hit me when I got the glasses. 4 decades! Having had a pretty healthy life so far, the signs of aging took me by surprise. I started having these chains of thought where I would be old and frail with no one to be with me. Pretty intense reaction to getting glasses, I know! The big day is on April 18th.

I tried to calm down and took stock of life so far. The picture was quite rosy. Loving family, fun and loyal friends, good jobs throughout, sprinkled with a fair amount of travel, and more materialistic things than I would ever want need. Absolutely no complaints or regrets here! I thought about what I would like to do that would make this year more meaningful.

I have always been socially conscious, thanks to my philanthropic parents. I have helped out with donations mostly towards education and children's welfare. I have been disappointed with quite a few of the organizations I have supported (and hence stopped supporting), and right now the number has dwindled to two: Project Why and Kiva.

For those that don't know about Kiva (get out from under your rock, NOW!):
It is a non-profit organization that works with microfinance institutes to provide lending services to those most in need! You could lend as little as $25 and make a BIG difference. If you look at the profiles of the borrowers, you can be assured that your loan will make a difference not just to one individual, but to an entire family. It may even turn the course of life for their next generation! All with $25, which you actually get back!

The repayment rate is 98% - and this 2% loss is most often due to currency exchange loss, which the borrower has no control over. I have been lending since 2009. I have put in only $128 so far, which have been going around (repayment and relending) allowing me to help change the lives of 40 families! The $128 has become equivalent to $1100!

When I looked at the numbers, I was ashamed that I had only put in $128 in 5 years. To change that, I am going to make a new loan each month. And to supplement that, I have also started a campaign where, YOU can also get into this addictive, feel-good habit! Here are the details of my campaign:

My Birthday Wish

Instead of getting gifts this year, I wish to raise $300 in loans by April 19th, 2015. This is a $25 loan by 12 people. You will get the loan back, and you may choose to either keep it or re-lend (I would recommend re-lending...see how $128 provided a $1100 value??)
Someone asked me whether I was hoping to find new "lenders" vs new "loans". I just meant new "loans", if you are an existing Kivan, and wish to make a loan through my campaign, I'll be glad :)

Here's a touching video that will definitely convince you in case my words did not

You can empower people around the world by making a $25 loan on Kiva. 

Hoping to raise well beyond my goal!
Thank you :)