The deal with microfinance is that it means loaning the poorest of people - most often women - to fund small businesses.
This benefits women like Tsehaye Daniel of Ethiopia, who can now send her children to school, something she's never been able to do before. Microfinance not only gave her the gift of opportunity, but it provided her children with the gift of education.
During this holiday season, by donating on behalf of a loved one to Grameen Foundation, you can give gifts to your hard-to-buy-for friends and family while making sure that poor people like Tsehaye and her children receive the gifts of empowerment and education.
Grameen Foundation helps microfinance institutions operate more efficiently and reach more people, and also fights "information poverty" by providing the poor with mobile phone-based information and business opportunities. Your gift will support these efforts in an area that you choose, and of course, when you give, you can personalize and send free e-cards or print a certificate to notify your loved one of the donation you made on their behalf.
By honoring friends and family with gifts to Grameen Foundation, you'll help strengthen efforts to empower the world's poorest, and help them break the cycle of poverty for themselves and their families.