BBC News: New eBay site helps finance poor

Microfinance is a brilliant idea - especially since it went onto the Web. So normal people in rich countries can finance with a few Dollars or Euros small business owners in developing countries.

That means you and me can help to develop local business in places that really need it. You can use websites like Kiva.org to lend some money to people who propose their projects to you. You don’t DONATE money, you LEND it. Instead of charity you get to help to develop the economy - something charity doesn’t do well.

eBay’s new site Microplace.com also allows you to invest in such business proposals in developing nations. So give it a try and get involved with maybe 20, 50 or even 100 Dollars or Euros.

But most of all: see that so called poor people really want to built their own future. They don’t want donations and poverty - they want to built their own good lives.