'Genealogists for Families' Project We care about families (past, present and future)

My father always set aside a sum of money that he could lend to a hard-working person in need of help. When they paid it back, he would lend it to someone else. We called it his 'Do Good money'. To continue Dad's tradition and to honour his memory after he passed away, I set up the 'Genealogists for Families' project. Within months the project had 200+ members in 11 countries and had helped more than 1,000 families. Please join us!

Through the Web site of Kiva, a non-profit organisation working with microfinance institutions around the world, you can choose a borrower to support with a loan of just $25. Similar loans by other lenders are combined until the required total is reached. In this way you enable people without access to traditional banks (including many women) to expand their businesses, support and educate their children, save for the future and raise themselves out of poverty.

As your money is repaid (often in monthly instalments), you can withdraw it or lend it to someone else. $25 that is loaned over and over again does more good than a one-time donation.

What team members say:

Carole:  'I have been lending through Kiva since 2008. It's very satisfying to lend money to specific people and know what it will be used for, and then get it back again!'

Joan:  'We have so much, and I consider this one small way to help others less fortunate. It is fun finding the individuals I want to sponsor.'

What YOU can do:

1. Join Kiva. (Do this first - the link opens in a new window.)
2. Choose a borrower and make a loan.
3. Join the 'Genealogists for Families' team.
4. (Optional) While logged in to Kiva, use the contact form to ask for your recent loan to be linked to the team www.kiva.org/team/genealogists. (You only need to do this the first time. Future loans are linked to a team during the payment process.)
5. (Optional) Edit your Kiva Lender Page to publicise your Web site, business or online family tree. Select your country from the drop-down list so we can see how widespread the team is.
6. Invite your family, friends, workmates or fellow students to join Kiva (and, if they wish, our team).

Join 'Genealogists for Families' - we are making a difference by helping families now and in the future, and we are having fun at the same time!