In browsing the blog of Saul Klein this evening I saw a post he'd written on Kiva - a micro-lending community to support entrepreneurs in developing countries. I've been meaning to blog about them before, so thought I'd better do it now, even if it's brief, before the opportunity passes me by again.

Kiva connects potential investors with approved micro-lending organisations around the world - all with proven track records.

When you visit Kiva you can browse through details of entrepreneurs who are seeking to raise money - including details of how much they want, what they want it for etc. They have been through the selection process of their local micro-lender, who has then put them on the site.

You can then lend them a part of that money - as little as US$25 - with many people contributing towards lending the total amount.

It's then up to the micro-lender to manage the loan and collect repayments, and you may be surprised to know that there is a much better repayment rate than that experienced by the big four banks here in the UK lending to UK customers with a very strict credit rating policy!

During the period of the loan you will get regular updates on how the entrepreneur's business is growing.

This isn't the kind of angel investment that will make you rich (there's no interest paid on the loans you make), but it will certainly make you feel like more of an angel. And this is better than charity - I don't need to go into well worn parable's about teaching people to fish and all that, I'm sure.

So why not go and dust your halo off and pass the baton of entrepreneurship to those who have even more challenges in the way of their start-up than you had?

I will be, and I'll let you know how it goes.

Here's some useful links:
Information on micro-finance
How Kiva Works
Entrepreneurs seeking funds on Kiva