For years now I’ve been a passive observer of the emerging social web (outside of the occasional role of curmudgeon on various right-wing political message boards) and I’d like that to change. With that being said, I’d like to dedicate one of my first blog posts to the non-profit microfinance website kiva.org.
For those who are unfamiliar with the site, it allows you to view various entrepreneurs in need of funding and donate $$ to get them off the ground. The amounts needed are often quite small, and you have the option of lending as much as you like. I’ve been a lender on a limited basis there for almost a year now, and I plan on doing so with increased frequency for the foreseeable future. I’m hard pressed to conceptualize a more noble use of the social web, and I would encourage anyone interested to donate.
I also have a certain bias though, as I’m also a childhood friend of Premal Shah, the president of Kiva. Looking back I don’t think I’ve ever come across anyone quite so dedicated to holding himself to ever higher standards of achievement, while still maintaining a “play hard” attitude. To this day, some of the most memorable stories from my childhood all the way through college and beyond have come from Premal and his fearless attitude towards life. Godspeed my friend. I wish you the best in your current and future ventures.
