World Ark Magazine - March/April 2009 - (Page 41) million; and exxonmobil pitched in with $2 million, to name a few. Giving Back proves that businesses and businesspeople who get involved in their communities by affiliating with charities and nonprofits can make a difference. Success stories include organizations and companies such as the local investment commission in kansas city, mo., to United parcel Service and show how a few people can take one good idea and make a go of it through hard work and tenacity. Take kiva.org, founded by Jessica and matt flannery. They created the online lending platform that allows people in the developed world to loan money to small-business owners in the developing world who would not qualify for conventional business loans. The idea originated with Nobel prize winner mohammad Yunus, but the flannerys’ goal has been to make it more accessible by putting it on the web. They have faced the huge administrative burden required to process thousands of microloans, numerous regulatory barriers, and the dilemma of how to make the site sustainable. Yet Giving Back reports that by the end of 2007, kiva.org would process more than $12 million in microloans for thousands of small businesses. The Power of Giving and Giving Back also each include directories of additional resources for further research. whatever it is you seek, be it a way to use your unique talents or inspiration from like-minded businesses and groups, these two books will lead you on the road to discovery. five favorites on: passing on the gift passing on the gift is one of heifer international’s 12 cornerstones. But passing on the gift is not only good for heifer’s project participants; it is an idea that can transform individuals and communities anywhere. here is a list of books that will inspire you to give back. Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela by Nelson Mandela The Life of Mahatma Gandhi by Louis Fischer Walking with the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement by John Lewis with Michael D’Orso new and noteworthy Worldchanging.com This online magazine, a service of the nonprofit worldchanging, offers sustainable, hands-on solutions to everyday problems, from home and business to politics and energy production. SARE 20/20: Celebrating Our First 20 Years, Envisioning the Next Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education 2008 Unbowed: A Memoir by Wangari Maathai from the Sustainable agriculture research and education program comes this free booklet celebrating 20 years of service and successes, available online at: www.sare.org/publications/ highlights.html w w w. h e i f e r. o r g Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World by Tracy Kidder march/apri l 2009 | worl d ark 41 http://www.kiva.org http://www.kiva.org http://www.Worldchanging.com http://www.sare.org/publications/highlights.html http://www.sare.org/publications/highlights.html http://www.heifer.org
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