Andrew Leonard's "How the World Works" at Salon is one of the more interesting and diverse of the blog-style columns in the cybersphere, perhaps especially because he travels the world in virtual time, and takes us with him. If the globalization phenomenon concerns or puzzles you, Leonard's blog will explain things to you... in just enough detail to keep your interest, but not so much that you begin to nod off. And, if you want to discuss these issues with others, his comment threads are open to such discussion. Today he describes his own recent foray into the world of micro-lending, and provides a link that anyone else with an interest might use to participate, too.

I've been reading and hearing about micro-lending for years, but did not realize until Leonard's post that ordinary folks (like me!) could participate. I'm thinking of contributing a small amount per month for a few months... and just have to decide which of the borrowers I want to lend to. So far, while perusing the lists of budding entrepreneurs awaiting additional financing, I found that the following ones interested me, partly because of their content area, and also because in combination they could comprise a small shopping center:

Veronica Allotey's beauty salon in Accra, Ghana; a cosmetics store in Samoa, belonging to Alaisea Lolenese, who has been named business woman of the year for two years running, and already has a creditable track record; a book store in Nakuru, Kenya, planned by Jane Wamaitha, who with a degree in media and communication has already begun a community cineman business and video library; a women's cooperative in Senegal specializing in textiles, seafood and other food commodities; a used clothing store in Aného, Togo, begun by Adjo Ahondo, who would like to expand her business with a loan that will allow her to purchase in larger quantities, increase her profits, and keep her children in school; and Saharatou Yorouma's teddy bear business in Tsévié, Togo, which allows her to support her family and is now ready for further expansion.

However, there are many other types of businesses all over the world in need of micro-financing, which is one of the few means available to women all over the world who wish to improve their standard of living.

It cannot be over-stated: micro-lending has the power to help women to transform the world

Note that Kiva recommends diversifying your loans, rather than concentrating all of your funds with one business, that the vast majority of them are repaid, although it is always possible that a business will fail, and that the loans are interest-free.