“But I, being poor, have only my dreams. I have spread my dreams under your feet, tread softly, because you tread on my dreams.” … William Butler Yeats

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Music soothes my soul. Many times it’s a long journey, but it always leads me to a place of peace.

When life gets difficult, and questions become deafening, I turn up the music pulsing through my headphones, close my eyes, and pursue a world where the cries that only I can hear, drift away, and disappear.

I almost smile.

***

Felipa, a 55 year old woman from Peru surely has never owned a pair of headphones. She lives with her husband in Pisaq, has five wonderful children, and works hard to help provide for the family. She sells pastries from a kiosk in the Tambohauso community school.

Felipa couldn’t do this without a loan.

María Antonia starts work at six in the morning. She and her husband raise hogs and poultry, and most days María spends ten hours tending to their small farm in El Salvador, which requires constant attention throughout the day. She also goes to the village market to sell produce from the farm.

María hopes to develop a more profitable business, which would help provide more opportunity for her family. For that to happen, María needs a loan.

Jose Nicolas runs a general store in Colombia. Having suffered through hardship in life, his dedication and desire to pursue a better life, have helped him to overcome the difficulties and provide for his family. Thanks to the sales from his store, Jose Nicolas is able to generate income, and support his wife and three children.

Jose Nicolas needs more inventory. Jose Nicolas needs a loan.

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These are just a few of the never ending number of similar stories from around the world. Thankfully, there is a way to reach out and make a difference. It’s called Kiva.org.

Kiva has enabled me to make nine loans so far, with a total outlay of $100.00, and I have no intention of stopping there. Each loan has a value of $25.00, and when the loan is paid back, the money can be reloaned to another person in need of assistance. Or, you can keep the money you’ve been reimbursed, and move on. The choice is yours.

I have no affiliation with Kiva. I am what Kiva calls a ‘lender’.  I can open my laptop, connect to the internet, and make a loan that will help to make real the dreams of another. I can do this while the music plays.

I smile.

This is my chance to pass forward an example of kind and caring people making a difference, and I sincerely hope you will find Kiva.org to be an opportunity for you to make a difference as well.

Dreams will come true because of your kindness.

Kindness works. Be a part of it. The world thanks you.

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