One of the ideas I like about micro-lending and Kiva more specifically, is that it allows you to choose and connect with the people you are helping. Instead of writing a check to say UNICEF, where a larger portion of your money than you would probably like to admit goes towards simply running the organization, you can go directly to the persons in need. Its similar to DonorsChoose.org, in that it allows you to make a small overall but very large specific difference. Of course, these organizations like Kiva have to support themselves, but I would bet that Kiva's overhead is significantly smaller than UNICEF. And that doesn't make UNICEF or other large charitable organizations bad either. They do a lot of good too, and like Kiva points out, there are many tools that we can use to help those in need. My point is though, that some people want to connect with the people they are helping and see that they have made change possible. These micro-lending and micro-giving organizations provide that. Micro-lending may not be overtaking third-world countries as a way to alleviate all of their troubles, but if I can make a difference in just one family's life, then I've made a difference. For the average person, bringing a country out of poverty isn't a realistic goal, but giving another person the ability to do that for their family is.