Mill Creek students get global in thinking with microlending

A new club at Mill Creek Middle School is hoping to make a lot out of a little.

The micro-lending club, headed by language-arts teacher Christopher Crew, launched a read-a-thonearlier this month to raise start-up money to be loaned out in small amounts to poor business owners around the world.

“We’re about raising money so we can give small loans for entrepreneurs in developing countries so they can raise themselves out of poverty,” Crew said Jan. 22.

Crew said the hope was to raise $4,000 of start-up money to be loaned out in $25 increments, which does not sound like a lot, but can mean a world of difference in a Third World country.

“In different countries, a dollar can be worth a lot,” said Martin Frye, 13, a member of the club. “Twenty-five dollars in another country, that could mean a lot to somebody.”

Crew said the idea for the club grew out of an article he read about a similar club in West Seattle and Chew said it sounded like something the kids could both get into and something they could get a lot out of.

“Giving kids the opportunity to make a difference for someone else,” Crew said. “That is my goal.”

The club uses the Web site Kiva.org, which features entrepreneurs from around the world all seeking relatively small amounts of money to help with their businesses. Donors then choose the projects they think are most worthy of their money and offer loans, either in the full amount requested or as a partial payment.

The plan is for the students to break into groups and select how the money will be spent. According to the site, most loans are repaid in about six months, so the money that comes back will be able to go out to another business owner.

“So it keeps helping over and over again,” said club member Sundus Irfan, 13.

“What’s the point in getting money back if they need it more than we do?” asked club member Arianna Gold, 12. “It’s better to help somebody else, not just yourself.”

The club also is giving the students a new perspective on the economy and on the different cultures of the world, although Crew said with more than 75 different countries represented in the Mill Creek student body alone, many of the kids already have that grounding.

“One of the cool things about Kent is we have kids from everywhere,” he said.

The group’s first fundraiser was a read-a-thon hosted last week at the school, in which students collected pledges for the number of pages they would read during the week. Crew said they are also hoping to raise some corporate or business donations as well.

Daniel Montgomery, 12, is not a member of the club, but participated in the read-a-thon to help raise money.

“The read-a-thon has made me read more, especially because I know I’m helping people,” he said.

In addition, students who raise more than $10 will get an invite to a V.I.P party/dance, just for those who participated.

But while the prospect of a dance might be enough to encourage others to get involved, members of the club say they are excited to know they are doing the right thing and helping out.

“To help someone rebuild their home for $25 makes me feel good about myself for trying to help others,” Frye said.

ON THE WEB

For more information on micro-lending visit www.kiva.org. To make a donation in the name of the Mill Creek club, join the “Mill Creek Micro-Lending” team on the site.