The focus of PikeSPeak is generally to pass along something that can help you make the most of your communications, whether online or “in the real world.” This time though, especially in light of today being the 100th International Women’s Day, I’d like to look at an online way you can help others make the most of their real world.

We all feel like we’re having a bad day sometimes. Most times though, our worst days would be a dream come true for the women in developing countries. They know what a bad day is really like. And worst of all, even though many of them work hard to improve their lives, they get little or no support. Women are generally much more likely to be denied a bank loan or be discriminated against. Over 70% of people living below the poverty line are women.

There is now good news for many of these women. Kiva.org has just launched Financial Independence Through Entrepreneurship (FITE), an online resource to help women entrepreneurs get small loans to help start or grow a business. Kiva.org is the world’s leading microfinance network, giving people like you and me a way to review and directly support a small business in a developing country. By lending small amounts like $20 or $50 to an entrepreneur in some faraway land, [Read more...]