In general, women are considered stronger and more responsible than men are and their attitude to life is stable even in difficulties.
I didn’t say it—not this time, anyway—and hardly go searching for these difficult things.
No, this is from Kiva, to whom, if you are not making little loans, you may be a selfish pig.
… And I wonder why I have so few subscribers.
Let’s go at this a whole ‘nother way. As if I were a nice person. Kiva organizes the loans of what you and I would consider mere pittances, to women—and men—to whom the purchase of, say, a sheep would make all the difference in the world. And every penny is accounted for. You cynic.
Read this on Kiva and see if you aren’t moved to let fifty bucks float around there, being used, repaid, re-loaned. Don’t let my foul mood delay you.
Here is a story about one woman, another example of braveness and self–confidence whom everyone really can respect. Not far from Naryn, which is one of beautiful and mountainous towns in Kyrgyzstan, there is a little village, Kochkor, which is famous for its salt. Her name is Smanova Tursun, a leader of her group. She is a 64-year-old widow. She lost her husband in her early age; however, she has raised two children by herself. Her daughter is 12 and she goes to the local school. Her son is 37. He graduated from the university and now helps his mother fatten and then sell sheep. About 10 years ago after her husband’s death she decided to move on, because she could not just give up the future of her children and let the cruel life decide what to do with them. So she bought five sheep to fatten and then to sell. She was successful and continues that business. Now their revenue per month is 5,000 ($113) soms. The life is, of course, better than before and she is planning to expand her business and buy a car in the future. She wants a loan of 5,000 soms. She will use it to buy two another lambs.
And here I sit waiting for my iPad.
I like this. In this time when we are so seriously overwhelmed by recession woes, budget deficits, threatened entitlements, and horrid, horrid news, it is refreshing to think of real progress measured in units of “two lambs.”