Access to Credit

Last week, I received a letter from a credit card company that said it was reducing my credit limit to my outstanding balance. Effectively, this eliminated any emergency funds that our family could access in a serious situation. In the course of this realization, I thought of the several billion people around the world who live in this reality every day and have never had the luxury of a credit cushion for unforeseeable events. What do these people do when something unfortunate happens? Probably the same thing I'll do should the need arise: Call my family. Ask. Plead. Borrow.

Access to credit is an amazing privilege. When the DOW falls almost 800 points (as it did today) and access to credit is significantly restricted (as it is currently), we gain an understanding of the importance of credit. Thanks to all the MFIs (micro-finance institutions) who are making credit available and affordable to people around the world.

[Further reading: Banker to the Poor by Muhammad Yunus]
[Website recommendation: www.opportunity.org]

Introduction

Our awareness of the challenges facing the world is greater than ever before in history. I've decided to write so that I can remember how I feel and what I think when the faces and voices of disadvantaged, marginalized, oppressed, persecuted, and forgotten people invade my comfortable existence. Otherwise, I would probably end up pushing these people out of my mind, never participating with others in shaping a reality that much better reflects the existence intended for mankind from the beginning of time.