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Yes, now everyone of us can! |
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Poverty in developing countries is a growing concern across the globe. Recent economic conditions have many of us wondering how we can help, even with limited resources. And we want to know that our dollars are being spent wisely. Now there's a way -- become a micro-leding team member at TrueChange.net!
"Microfinance offers poor people access to basic financial services such as loans, savings, money transfer services and microinsurance. People living in poverty, like everyone else, need a diverse range of financial services to run their businesses, build assets, smooth consumption, and manage risk."
Reference - http://www.cgap.org/p/site/c/template.rc/1.26.1302/
TrueChange.net is a team of web masters, web site owners, hosting providers and other internet users established at Kiva.org -- the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs in the developing world. The beauty of Kiva.org is the transparency of the process.
"Any real solution to the issues of povery, economic independence and self-determination must reach across national and political boundaries in new and inventive ways," says Joseph Maas, team captain. "TrueChange.net is teaming up with Kiva.org because we see the value in micro-lending and wish to build and expand the micro-lending community."
Since inception, micro-lending has produced very positive results within developing countries by encouraging entrepreneurship and business development on a grass-roots level. Unlike charitable contributions (for which no doubt there will always be a need), micro-lending by its very nature sows the seeds of creativity and sustained growth.
Clearly the benefits can reach far beyond the loan recipient. Common examples include:
 -- Funding a dairy rancher to purchase another milking cow means that better nourishment is available for the people of his village through the cold winter months.
-- Funding a garment maker to purchase two additional sewing machines results in local employment for six more people. (That's six people that no longer need to work at the grueling rock quarry or at the shoe factory 20 miles away).
-- Funding a carpenter to buy better tools results in local homes with better roofs and windows - and fewer incidents of crippling but preventable diseases such as pneumonia and malaria. |
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Does the phrase "purpose driven" as it applies to business refer to a profit driven approach? Or does this imply a faith inspired approach? Both? Neither?
 Capitalism in its most basic form is an exchange of one kind of energy for another; Currency in exchange for goods and services, and goods or services in exchange for currency, thus the age old mojo by which we all run our livelihoods. However, it may be most important to keep in mind that which really makes this system work is a good relationship between customer and merchant. (Naturally.) So if good relationships are key, then the next step would lead directly to an expanded and more qualitative field of communication. Of course the best form of this "next step" is one that is unrestrained by fear.
As George Harrison once said, "It's not really the yin, nor the yang, but it's the third element in this symbol, it's the line down the middle that we need to pay the most attention to."
Perhaps the "line down the middle" is the highway that stretches between and beyond all the classic, if not occasionally divisive polar opposites: Us and them, black and white, east and west, rich and poor, old and young, higher and lower (cast/sect), etc. Indeed, the transcendent line in the middle may be the best tool for an exquisitely balanced approach when it comes to any and all business ventures as well as every other kind of human relationship. Indeed a purpose driven approach could be a way of achieving this finer balance.
The internal process here is one where we begin to care just as much for the general human condition as for our own condition. It would follow that running an "environmentally conscious" business within this context as it applies to human affairs, is thereby transformed into a purpose driven approach. In terms of a faith inspired approach, that great Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" also fits perfectly within the framework of a purpose driven business.
But of course, there are questions: Other than keeping up a good reputation with one's customers, how exactly can a purpose driven approach increase your bottom line? After all, the success of any enterprise is usually measured in terms of fiscal health. Is this not true? I suppose a good answer to this question is - The purpose driven approach would be entirely worthless if the world were flat. But thankfully the world is not flat. This is true both physically and metaphorically, thus, "What goes around, comes around." is an axiom that will probably always hold true. |
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