".... become strong, start living right. Stop living for yourself. If you do not live for yourself, you will have everything... " Beinsa Douno
for those who want to help others: http://www.kiva.org Its a great project. I try to borrow to a different person every month. Most of them do pay back.
Kiva is very good. In English we do nor refer to the act of loaning money as "borrow". The person who receives the money is the borrower, you are the lender. To borrow means: To obtain or receive (something) on loan with the promise or understanding of returning it or its equivalent. So you are loaning or lending, not borrowing.
And another very good way to contribute to humanity, bring people and cultures together. http://www.couchsurfing.org I am also an active member there.
Nice Link Chaos, but are they legitimate and does most or all of the money goes to the people in need. I have never worked with a charity organization. This one sounds very interesting . Do they allow you to communicate directly with the people in need . I usually pack my suv when I have some extra food supplies and blankets and just drive to downtown san diego and just start passing stuff out to the homeless. The city has moved most of them out of the area into another town so there arent as many there now. I do agree with the OP in giving is a feeling that receiving can never ever match.
This is not donating, this is lending for no interest They declare the payback period and with each payment you get an email. Most of the people to whom you lend do keep with the monthly payments. In some cases, the borrower fails to pay back. In each community there is a (volunteering) representative of the website who is responsible for the communication between the local bank to where your money goes and the borrower. You don't get to communicate with either, just receive bulk mails to all lenders regarding the progress of the person's business, and in case of payments or failures to pay. I once mailed them to start working with Palestinians, especially in Gaza. They answered that the political situation makes it impossible. Too bad.
Oh ok, This is a fantastic idea man. Its too bad they wont allow helping the people in gaza, but maybe one day the situation will improve. Its the thought that counts.