Microlending through Kiva

Here's a quickie update on one of my pet projects: the link on the right margin is to Kiva, a microlending broker that connects people who want to help others out of poverty by loaning funds to help improve an entrepeneur's chances of success.  I was introduced to Kiva through their work in Guatemala, the homeland of a very special member of my family. (You can see her pictures in some of my other posts.)  Recently, some of my loan repayments came through, so I used those proceeds and added some more to loan to another Guatemalan woman. Here's her bio from Kiva:

Ana Andrea Juarez Curruchich                     
Location: San Martin Jilotepeque, Chimaltenango, Guatemala
Activity: Food
$1,150 Loan Request
$375 Raised So Far
$775 Still Needed 
Loan Use: To invest in her activity.
Currency Exchange Loss: Possible

"Andrea is 57 year-old trader working in the municipal market of San Martín Jilotepeque. She sells meals there every day, and at home she breeds pigs. The loan she is requesting will be used to buy pigs, animal feed and maize. She dreams of increasing her meals sales and to have a vending stall, as right now she sells her products in the square of the municipal market. She is thankful to FAPE and KIVA for the support they are providing, as this will help her making her dreams come true."  (This is typical of the bios on Kiva.)

I see honesty, patience, endurance, and a lifetime of hard work in her face.  True beauty.