What is Kiva?

Kiva is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs around the globe.

So, that $3.75 spare change that you found in the couch could help Akouvi Atono from Togo, Africa buy the fabric supplies she needs to continue her colorful clothing business.

Kiva partners with existing expert microfinance institutions. In doing so, they gain access to outstanding entrepreneurs from impoverished communities world-wide. Their partners are experts in choosing qualified entrepreneurs. That said, they are usually short on funds. Through Kiva, the partners upload their entrepreneur profiles directly to the site so you can lend to them. When you do, not only do you get a unique experience connecting to a specific entrepreneur on the other side of the planet, but the microfinance partners can do more of what they do, more efficiently.

Any organizations you belong to, can do it as well! Don't forget your little ones- they can create a Lending Team in their classroom.
What a great way to make your tribe a little bigger.
More info here.

With all do respect, a very spunky lady in Thailand...

Moral of the story, it's never too late to make an impact.

While traveling through Thailand with my husband, we discovered the work of the late Princess Mother (the King's mother). In the Chaing Mai region of Thailand in the Golden Triangle, Princess Mother was looking for a location to build a home in weather that was more suitable to her health. She discovered a land devastated by deforestation and opium trafficking and people struggling for survival. This, then ninety year old, made it her mission to help turn the area around into the amazing place it is now.

The Doi Tung Development Project is a holistic and integrated sustainable alternative livelihood development initiative. It is the culmination of the Princess Mother's lifelong dedication to development work. And the shopping is great too!

Points of intrest:
The Mae Fah Luang Garden- 10 glorious acres of the best cultivated flower species I have ever seen amid incredible water sculptures.

Doi Tung Royal Villa- A recreation of a Swiss Chalet complete with a hand-crafted wood inlay of the Princess Mother's favourite constellations. Designed by the Astronomy Society of Thailand, installed light bulbs representing the stars in the centre of the ceiling showed the position of the constellations on October 21, 1900, the day the Princess Mother was born.

The Cottage Industries Centre and Outlet- a handicrafts training and job creation centre that was launched alongside with the Project's reforestation projects. All Doi Tung Lifestyle products are produced by skilled ethnic minorities in this compound of 8.32 hectares (52 rai). The Centre, located at the foot of Doi Tung, employs more than 300 skilled workers in four handicraft producing facilities.
Did I mention the shopping?

A very cool lady indeed, kop kun ka!

For more information click here.

A dark and stormy night...

Costa Rica In 1993, standing on the corner of a very crowded San Jose side walk, my mother and I decide to buy a rain forest. The twenty- two seconds it took to make the decision didn’t take into account the 10 years it took to actually own this rain forest. And so, to those in my tribe, a dark and stormy night is all too familiar. For those who have not had the pleasure, a lovely account can be found here.

Determination can get you only so far, but friends will get you a long way. Welcome! I’ll bring the wine.

A stunning clip from the show "The Eco- Tourist" by Matt Ferguson filmed in Rainmaker can be viewed here.