Watch the news and what do you see? Recession news. Bailout news. Depressing news. How would like to create your own good news and help someone halfway around the world at the same time?

In steps Kiva, a website that helps individuals and families in third-world countries get a small amount of money--according to American standards--and get started in a business that makes sense to their local economy. These are called microloans because most of these extremely-short-term loans are less than $1,000 with many less than $100. People in first-world countries, like the U.S.A., can lend the entire amount or loan as little $25 toward to total and watch a meter rise as people around the globe help to raise the 100% requested.

According to Kiva, it is "the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs in the developing world." Their mission is "to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty." For the entire story, click here.

Logging on to the website yields instant views into what people are looking to finance. Some examples: Teresa Amador Garcia in Tegucigalpa, Honduras is looking to raise $525 for 12 months to buy milk for making cheese for her cheese shop. Therese Nyiraneza of Ruhengeri, Rwanda hopes to borrow $950 for 8 months to stock her general store. Mansur Olimov of Gafurov, Tajikistan needs $600 for 5 months to expand his cattle operation. There are hundreds more from all points on the globe from all walks of life.

If you are financially stable enough and would like to help someone who could change their status in life to something better, this is the site for you. Imagine how many people you can empower and minister to via this fantastic lending vehicle!