I usually buy ducks.  Or goats.  And I may still do that.

I like this kinda gift, because it’s not just a few bucks that will buy one meal-this keeps giving and can also provide a source of income to a family. (image from world vision).  You can get things like 3 ducks for $18, for which provides eggs to a family-they get much needed protein, and they can also sell the eggs.

But I heard about a different sort of giving-microloans.  $25 to Kiva can help a group like this…(image from Kiva)

A group of people lend them money.  They use to to establish their business, (there’s a variety…establish or improve a business, build a home, etc)…something they’d never be able to do without people like you, me, John Brown in the coffee shop, lending them the money. Over time, they pay it back…you can start as small as $25.  I can then turn around and lend it to fund a salon in Mexico, or a clothing type business in Africa, help a family here in America buy a home…so many things.  And it’s just $25.  It keeps giving.  Really cool.

🙂  Easy ways to give a little bit.  And…both of these have fab ratings on Charity Navigator.  I always vet the places I give to…nothing worse than trying to help out and realizing that too much of the money is going to administrative costs or worse…a failing or corrupt charity.