Hi @buddawiggi,

Thanks for ruining my plans!!!
I was all set to watch some TV, play a game or two and then take the kids to the park.
Instead, because of you, I helped re-stock a general store in the Philippines (then took the kids to the park).

All kidding aside, I spent a good deal of time checking out Kiva today and in the end, felt that their system is worthy of my money (and that of others here on Mahalo who choose to join)

There were two main criticisms of Kiva:
1. That Kiva was not making the nature of their lending system clear enough and potentially misleading donors.
I'm not sure if this was the case in the past, but I didn't feel this to be the case now. Basically, the issue is that the money you pay to a particular person or group in need, may have already been paid to them, and your money is used to pay back the Kiva Field Partner who actually made the loan. The Kiva website now clearly lists when the loan was made.

2. The interest rates charged by Kiva Field Partners, were too high.
The rates charged do seem quite high, but there aren't many financial institutions willing to give loans to people well below the poverty line in places like Kabul, Afghanistan. And each loan description includes information on the interest rates (Portfolio Yield) as well as a star rating for the track record of the field partner in regards to loan defaults.

For me, the fact that the majority of the money you give to Kiva, will be returned back to you when the receiver pays back the loan, making it possible to give your dollars to other people in need at a later date. Or, if you choose, you can get the money back from Kiva and put it back in your bank. This is not, however guaranteed. Some loans do default and don't end up coming back to Kiva donors, but even in these cases, it's most likely going to a good cause (paying for a wedding in Afghanistan, putting food on a hungry family's table, etc.)

Another great thing about Kiva is that if you use Paypal, you can sign up with Kiva giving your name, an email address, and that's it. It took me about 5 minutes to donate $25 to a general store in the Philippines. I plan to give more after my first "trial donation", and I would suggest this as a good way to start on Kiva.
As for Kiva success stories, there are quite a few to be found on the Kiva Fellows Blog

In regards to the amount of money given to charities on Mahalo Answers, I didn't have a chance to do a thorough investigation, but I did find the following examples:

http://www.mahalo.com/answers/lets-help-out-a-charity-this-thanksgiving M$766.51

http://www.mahalo.com/answers/lets-reach-out-for-the-haiti-victims M$442.84

http://www.mahalo.com/answers/will-you-donate-something-to-someone-in-need-what-if-they-are-one-of-your-own M$266.19

http://www.mahalo.com/answers/mahaloians-will-you-help-out-this-holiday-season M$252.46

http://www.mahalo.com/answers/for-those-who-need-the-extra-m-to-cash-out-before-the-deadline-i-am-here-to-help-please-tell-me-why-you-deserve-need-m-50 M$142.08

http://www.mahalo.com/answers/looking-for-something-interesting-to-do-with-your-mahalo-dollars M$25

Some of these were donations to mahalo users in need, but most were given directly to charity organizations. That adds up to $1895.08. I would also point out that that does not include donations made through the Mahalo Store.

Although I do not know of a personal story, I went on a search after reading this question/post and found many great uplifting stories about how KIVA has helped people all over the globe. This seems like an awesome program. One beautiful story at http://www.kiva.org/lend/92246 really brings that point home. The lady in the story was able to start tricycad, hog raising, and Natasha Dealing companies with her loan to support her family. Her name is Mrs. Brenda Frangolin and she is 26 years old and has two children. This has changed her and her family’s lives. Great organization, thanks for the information.

I think it is fabulous that Mahalo has a Kiva team. I am already a member of Kiva. So far I have made two small loans. One was paid back completely and I recycled the money to another business, which unfortunately did not succeed. I am a private investigator and I know how many charity scams there are, so I always check out a charity before I give. Kiva is not really a charity because you are providing a loan. It is an amazing thing to watch someone strive to be independent and make a living in a country where people are struggling. Many of us in North America have financial problems and live paycheck to paycheck, but it does not compare with the living conditions in the developing world. We need to help people to be self sufficient. Kudos to Mahalo for inspiring us and providing the opportunity to help our brothers and sisters in other countries.

The following is from Kiva:

Araceli, her husband and their three children live in Monclova, Coahuila. With the prime goal of helping her husband with the family costs she opened a shoe and clothing store some 12 years ago, a good match for her because she loves sales and is a proficient saleswoman. Throughout the years Araceli has kept up her business with much effort and dedication. And through this business she has been able to provide education for her three children.

In order to keep the business growing she needs a loan of $925 to purchase seasonal clothing and shoes. She plans to repay the loan within three months. It is important for Araceli and her family to have your support.

She has paid the entire amount back!

Their name is Kiva Microfunds and their mission is to connec to create people through lending so they can alleviate proverty. Kiva's beliesf are that people are generous by nature,and if you give poor peole the opportunity they will become succeful.

They want to create relationships beyond financial transactions. They feel that they build a global community by supporting and encouraging one another. Kiva promotes dignity,accountability, and transparency.

They have 5 teams which are:Management, adiministration,engineering,and microfinance partnerships.

They have an "A" on BBB website.