A little off topic, but I just found out about this organization today, and thought it was a great concept.
kiva.org

It's microfinancing for people who want to improve or start businesses. I'm looking at this as teaching a man to fish, rather than giving them a fish.

If someone needs a small amount of money to start or improve their business, they can go through a microfinancier to get the money instead of trying to get it from a regular bank.

It looks like a great way to help people help themselves and others (small businesses grow and employ others) without throwing money into the black holes that are international charities. (Yeah, I know some are legit, but so much is eaten up in bribery and red tape that I wonder how much of the donations actually get to the people.