The Unbreakable Leo

While surfing the internet not long ago I began to come across many different sites that use the same peer-to-peer lending model like Vittana and Kiva to serve the growing needs in the world. Over the past five years many organizations have seen the effectiveness of what this platforms have to offer and spawned groups of their own to test the water of financial global change. From educational funding to energy needs these groups are looking to take back control of their dollars to help others in need, instead of leaving it up to government and NGO's to spend our tax dollars to improve conditions for those living under the poverty line.


LEND FOR PEACE
In the Southern California Muslim community a lot of our energy is often focused on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and creating ways to bring attention to the plight of those suffering on both sides. Many people outside of the "balanced" news loop lack vital information about the facts on the ground and rely solely on FOX News and CNN for their coverage which too often paints a one sided portrait of the situation. According to their website "Lend for Peace" was established by two Israeli's students and two Palestinians students to make a tangible different in the conflict, regardless of their faith background. Although their catalog of entrepreneurs is small, the people who created it have good intentions to bring peace and prosperity to those in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Although small, the group does offer the opportunity for individuals and students to get involved through volunteer and internship positions. Using the popular lending platform, people all over the world can lend to Palestinian entrepreneurs to create and expand their business and create opportunities for themselves and their families. From grocery stores to farming, the group reaches a number of people who look to serve others with food and other vital supplies.

Taken from the popular Israeli "Land for Peace" mantras of the past, this organization looks sheds new light on the human aspect of the conflict and not the political aspect. In one short year LFP has recieved grants from foundations such as the Clinton Global Initiative and recruited members such as Craig Newman to their advisory board. Most know Craig Newman as the founder of the popular site Craig's List. Although the International Monetary Fund has showed that economic recovery in the West Bank could come soon, it should be noted that micro-enterprise makes up almost 95% of all business in the West Bank and Gaza according to a 2007 article from MicroCapital. Due to certain boarder issues the numbers possibility of growth can only plateau instead of rise.

The site is worth looking into and should inspire the average person to learn more about what's happening in the Middle East and why such an organization is needed. The old saying is true that knowledge is power.


ENERGY IN COMMON
As the world become more industrialized pollution will only worsen. Many groups are dedicated to saving the environment such as Green Peace, but there are only a few that have attempted to combine microfinance with green technology and energy independence. To some it may not seem like a big deal but if you're in that camp you're unfortunately wrong. Many issues stem from the availability of energy for entrepreneurs to run a "successful" business while keeping the health of mother earth in mind. One should take into account the issues of deforestation in the Amazon and Madagascar where these countries have cut down large swaths of forest for business purposes, often by impoverished individuals selling items like charcoal to meet energy demands. In many other places such as remote areas in Africa the problem of energy poverty and pollution grow as people rely on the use oil, dung or kerosene for their energy needs.

Energy in Common is an organization founded by a young Australian entrepreneur named Hugh Whalan and a New York carbon credit and green energy specialist named Scott Tudman. Their goal to deliver green energy to 15 million people within five years seems hard, but in today's green revolution this might be a venture worth considering. Their site profiles businessmen and women looking to purchase solar panels to light their homes where they run their businesses, but we should look at this in a larger context. It is a real solution which makes things like studying after dark, refrigerating medicine and vaccines and pumping clean water to remote communities a possibilities. Often the little things can make a huge difference in many avenues to improve the lives of millions. You can read more about EIC, their mission and their founders through an interview conducted by the Huffington Post.