Kiva.org is about 'loans that change lives'.

If you're wondering how you can 'make a difference' in the world by actively helping another entrepreneur in a developing country - have a look at www.kiva.org.

Kiva is a brilliant initiative - from the website you can read about various entrepreneurs, choose an entrepreneur and make a loan from $25 - you get updates and get repaid when the business succeeds. These entrepreneurs from Pakistan to Afghanistan only need small loans; to buy a cow or for more inventory for their shop.

You can also purchase gift certificates to give to a friend to redeem by lending the funds from the certificate to an entrepreneur of their choice.