Small World After All

A 7/29/10 NYT article features a woman-owned hot dog stand in California that was rescued by an international microlender;  the money was disbursed through a US pilot program.    Amanda Keppert believes if not for the $6,500 loan from Kiva.org, she would have lost everything.  But thanks to funds that are more commonly available in third world countries, she is shown smiling next to her cheery stand.  The depressed economy in Silicon Valley was the villian, but Kiva and a group called the Opportunity Fund are the heroes.  Gina Harman, president and chief executive of Accion USA, another microlender and Kiva partner, said "People are compelled to do something in their backyard.  Suddenly, giving $1 to someone in Ghana isn't as important as giving to someone here."