From Olle comes a pointer to Kiva:

Kiva provides a new, sponsor a business option for individuals to connect with small enterprises in developing countries through flexible loans.

Although I’ve never found myself in sympathy with the “hand up not a hand out” rhetoricians, I find myself struck by the simple elegance of the Kiva proposition. Ironically, they have no businesses to loan to at present, and I don’t find myself moved to make a donation to “provide more loan opportunities into the future.”