Natalie Portman was on Good Morning America this morning to talk about her upcoming film in limited release, “My Blueberry Nights,” and she told a moving story about the organization she works with, FINCA, which gives small loans to entrepreneurs in the developing nations to help change their lives. When Portman was in Uganda ten years ago she met an impoverished woman with ten daughters who was beaten frequently by her husband for not bearing him a son. The woman lived on .80 a day from her husband, but she was able to get rid of him and eventually start her own restaurant after a micro loan from FINCA:
When I was in Uganda I was lucky enough to meet this woman, Niema, she had ten daughters, and… her husband was beating her because she couldn’t make a son, and she was living on .80 a day and depending on her husband for it.

She got a small loan from Finca and started her own roadside food stand, and started growing the business… buying a refrigerator and when I met her ten years later she had a restaurant with indoor seating, she had hired 7 other women, and she left her husband…

All of her daughters were in school and one of them was in University. So you see how just given the opportunity, they do all the hard work.

[Transcribed from Portman’s appearance on “Good Morning America,” 4/7/08, video below]

FINCA is one of many microcredit organizations that is changing lives, one small loan at a time. Impoverished entrepreneurs are given amounts that are usually less than $1,000, from which they can start or expand a business, eventually paying back the loan in full.

My favorite charity for this is Kiva, because you can read the background information and details on people who need loans and specifically donate to them. It’s inspiring to read the stories and realize that your small donation can help make a difference.

Portman also talked about her vegan shoe line on GMA this morning. Portman says she helps design the shoes by bringing in photos and shoes she likes to the designers, and providing feedback for their prototypes. She said she’s been a vegetarian since the age of 9 and made the decision to go vegan after reading “The Omnivore’s Dilemma.” Portman reminded Diane Sawyer that her husband lent the book to her.

source: celeb*tchy.com