My job is to create IT systems for administration and sales people to use for analysis and reporting, mostly to make sure the company runs with a profit. The company I work for does focus on sustainability and invests in microfinance and social investments, something I’m very proud of, but sometimes my job feels impersonal and unimportant because the main focus is on money instead of people. The company does a lot of good things, but it’s not like what I do makes a difference in the world, you know? I don’t save lives or educate children. That’s why I’ve found some organizations and causes that I support and that I’m truly passionate about. It’s not much and I won’t save the world, but hopefully the little I do can help someone.

My greatest passion is Kiva and microloans (Linked through my lender page because you can get a $25 free trial if you’re interested, that means that you can try to lend $25 without paying anything yourself and see how Kiva works. You don’t pay anything, but help someone who needs it – it’s a win-win situation ) They lend small amounts to people all over the world who can’t get loans in regular banks because the loan amount is too small. It’s quite simple: I lend $25 to a borrower I choose, the borrower repays a small amount each month until they’ve repaid the $25, and then I can choose to withdraw the money or fund another loan. (Many lenders work together to fund one loan.) It doesn’t cost me anything nor do I earn anything, but I help another person. This is something I’m truly passionate about, I believe in helping people where they live because it helps them, their families, and in turn their communities – a ripple effect. I believe those who borrow money are proud when they repay their loans because it means they’ve worked for and achieved something, and now they’re not dependent on others anymore. I believe in Kiva because I know it works! I’ve gradually lent more money and now I have about $145 in outstanding loans. Now I get repaid more than $25 each month so I can help fund another loan without actually having to pay anything, the money is already lent and are circulating. But I think it’s such a great concept that I lend another $25 every month anyway, as well as making a small donation to Kiva to help pay for their costs.

Each month I donate a small amount to Kirkens Bymisjon who do a lot of great work in Norway for homeless people, drug addicts and prostitutes, but also for children, elderly people and others who you don’t necessarily see need help. I’m not mentally strong enough to get personally involved in this kind of work, so I do what I can to help indirectly. Again, it’s not much, but it’s something. I also give money to Frelsesarmeen (The Salvation Army) when I can because they also do a lot of great work for those who need it the most. Both organizations are Christian, but their focus is not on religion and they welcome all people. I’m not religious myself, but these organizations do so much good that it’s a non-issue for me.

Lastly, I’m an organ donor, I regularly donate blood and I’ve also registered myself as a bone marrow / stem cell donor. It was quite surreal to discuss organ donation with my family, but it was important to me to make sure that they know what I would have wanted in case the worst happens. I recently signed up as a bone marrow / stem cell donor as well. The chances of actually donating either is small, but what if? What if that one person only gets a match with me? Again it’s not much, but these things might be the most important for me. This is the one way I may actually save a life.