Change the world: MUSIC

When I was a kid my mom had to drive me to school because we lived outside of the district. Everyday we'd pass this old hermit who lived in a run-down shack off of Aratta road in Troutdale. For about five years, he'd wave at us and we'd wave back every morning. During the holidays my mom would make a care package for him. On a cold December's morning, she'd park her Jeep Grand Wagoneer about a block away, where the paved street became a gravel dead-end. On the floor of the passenger seat, next to my feet sat a grocery bag packed with clothes, a book, canned food, homemade cookies and a note that said, "Love Santa XOXO". I'd run to his doorstep and leave the present there for him, a present that I assume he began to anticipate with each passing year. My mom did things like this habitually.

Good deeds and selfless acts are hard to come by these days. There are just too many things going on. The world is a big place and sometimes I get caught up in my day-to-day routine. It puts a dent in my morning when I run out of Silk® Soy Creamer or I'm late but need to get gas before I hit the freeway. We Americans are privileged, to be able to be upset by such trivial problems. Recently I remember someone, I can't remember who, saying, 'A man in the middle of a civil war... in Africa, who's children have been raped and/or killed can not even fathom or imagine my worst day...' It makes you think, you know?

Lately I've been delving into the Internet, global trends and technology. I want to spend sometime thinking about the future rather than spinning my wheels in the present. For a while I've heard about "micro loans" and how they are doing amazing things for people in third world countries, so I checked it out.

I goggled "Micro Loan". The second sponsor’s link was for kiva.org. Within minutes I had found my girl.

“Mrs. Maria Lidia, 57 years old, is a single mother of two. Her son is 22 years old and works in a Cooperative while her daughter is 20 years old and is in the United States studying and working at a camp for children with special needs. Maria says she really misses her daughter.

Maria has operated a mini-grocery store out of her residence for 18 years. She began selling candies and sweets out of a small hut. Later, she moved and constructed a commercial space which she has since fit out to be a grocery store selling all kinds of basic goods and supplies. These include milk, sugar, pastas, baked goods, and rice. She eventually equipped the store to house a meat shop.

Over the years, things have gone well for Maria; she hasn´t had any major difficulties. She only remembers one period of time, during an economic crisis, where she was much affected because she had numerous financial obligations, most importantly, the education of her children whom she felt she could not fail. Thanks to God and her perseverance, she was able to rise above the situation. Today, she finds herself in a stable position, one which encourages her to continue investing.

Maria says the credits are very useful since they allow her to achieve her objectives. She is currently planning to purchase bulk merchandise such as sugar, rice, flour, and pastas. Bulk purchases will lower her costs and increase her profit margin on sales.”

She needs $1,000. She has $625 so far. I'm pledging $50 tonight. This site is cool. Myspace and purevolume have "friends", this site has "lenders". It makes me feel good too. This woman probably checks in everyday to see if she is any closer to her goal. Next week Mrs. Maria Lidia could meet her goal.

You could be a part of that.

You are relevant.

Gus Nicklos