Internet Opens World to Microloan Investors

 　　The Internet is linking entrepreneurs in the developing world with investors¹ in industrial nations through sites that broker² small “people-to-people” loans. These so-called microloans go to family-owned businesses in Africa, Asia and other areas.

　　A $2 loan lets a woman in Burundi start a business brewing³ banana beer, and a $65 loan helped a woman in Pakistan start an embroidery⁴ business that now supports 30 local families.

　　These small entrepreneurs are featured in a multimedia⁵ exhibit called Half the Sky at the Skirball Cultural Center. Photographs, art and videos explain the plight⁶ of poor women in developing countries and how microloans are helping⁷ them.

　　Corporate⁸ donations to the center provide each visitor to the exhibit with $1 to get them started as investors.  With help from a volunteer, this man has just invested in a small business in Africa.

　　The Internet microloan site Kiva is one of several partners in the project.  Kiva's own website at kiva.org lets people invest small amounts of money in entrepreneurial projects from their homes, or any place with an Internet connection.  The organization works through local micro-finance institutions in developing countries, and notes proudly that its clients’ repayment⁹ rate is over 98 percent.

　　Writer Bob Harris has invested in nearly 4,000 small businesses, and has visited many of them while researching a book about Kiva. “It's everything from clinics to schools to farmers, crafts people, urban transportation people - taxi drivers - pretty much anything you can come up with,” Harris said.

　　Some investors, like Armenian-American computer consultant¹⁰ Peter Tashjian, focus on a single region.  He lends to Armenians so that those in cities can expand their businesses, and those in the countryside can buy an extra cow or sheep.

　　“And they actually are able to feed their families and make extra cheese and milk to sell in the markets,” Tashjian said.

　　Bob Harris got involved in microlending after exploring the world as a travel writer and seeing poverty in the shadow of exclusive resorts.

　　He has inspired a loose-knit group on the Kiva website called Friends of Bob Harris, whose members have invested more than $1.6 million.

　　“And everybody who does it for any length of time and reinvests the money, it’s really kind of cool … Let’s see, the bicycle delivery guy in Nicaragua paid me back.  I think I’ll invest in this student in the Philippines,” Harris said.

　　These people say the Internet has forged new links, both social and commercial, that help others around the world pull themselves out of poverty.

1 investors   

n.投资者，出资者( investor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a con man who bilked investors out of millions of dollars 诈取投资者几百万元的骗子
• a cash bonanza for investors 投资者的赚钱机会

2 broker   

n.中间人，经纪人；v.作为中间人来安排

参考例句：

• He baited the broker by promises of higher commissions.他答应给更高的佣金来引诱那位经纪人。
• I'm a real estate broker.我是不动产经纪人。

3 brewing   

n. 酿造, 一次酿造的量 动词brew的现在分词形式

参考例句：

• It was obvious that a big storm was brewing up. 很显然，一场暴风雨正在酝酿中。
• She set about brewing some herb tea. 她动手泡一些药茶。

4 embroidery   

n.绣花，刺绣；绣制品

参考例句：

• This exquisite embroidery won people's great admiration.这件精美的绣品，使人惊叹不已。
• This is Jane's first attempt at embroidery.这是简第一次试着绣花。

5 multimedia   

adj.多种手段的，多媒体的；n.多媒体

参考例句：

• Multimedia is the combination of computer and video technology.多媒体是计算机和视频技术的结合。
• Adam raised the issue of multimedia applications and much useful discussion ensued.亚当提出了多媒体应用的问题，从而引发了许多有益的讨论。

6 plight   

n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定

参考例句：

• The leader was much concerned over the plight of the refugees.那位领袖对难民的困境很担忧。
• She was in a most helpless plight.她真不知如何是好。

7 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

8 corporate   

adj.共同的，全体的；公司的，企业的

参考例句：

• This is our corporate responsibility.这是我们共同的责任。
• His corporate's life will be as short as a rabbit's tail.他的公司的寿命是兔子尾巴长不了。

9 repayment   

n.偿还，偿还款；报酬

参考例句：

• I am entitled to a repayment for the damaged goods.我有权利索取货物损坏赔偿金。
• The tax authorities have been harrying her for repayment.税务局一直在催她补交税款。

10 consultant   

n.顾问；会诊医师，专科医生

参考例句：

• He is a consultant on law affairs to the mayor.他是市长的一个法律顾问。
• Originally,Gar had agreed to come up as a consultant.原来，加尔只答应来充当我们的顾问。