I’m out of things to say. I think I’ve said everything that needs to be said about about this issue.

So unless someone wants to take over the blog, I’m shuttering it.

But that is not the end of the story.

For years, I’ve urged people to take action on one of the most pressing human rights issue in the world. Awareness is important, but it only really matters if it translates into action.

I’ve had this blog for over 3 years now, I’m one of the most aware persons. Why am I not doing anything?

So this morning on my way to work, I thought about what I can do. I don’t have a lot of money, nor do I have a lot of time. And I’m certain there many people in this country with the same situation. So what can I do make the most out of what I have?

I remembered an old post on microfinance pioneer Muhammad Yunus. And I also know the microfinance site, Kiva.

What if we find North Koreans hiding in China and finance their escape to safety, and recoup our loan long after they reach it?

Obviously, there are major risks involved. And it will no doubt be a tough sell. There is no guarantee that the North Koreans we fund will make it to safety, we can only maximize their chances of success. And the thought of poor North Koreans paying off rich westerns like me is unappealing.

But what are the alternatives? The current model of charity relies purely on faith that one’s contribution will make a difference. And with loans instead of gifts, we can maximize what meager resources in order to help others escape.

There are plenty questions that need to be asked. How much does it cost to get one North Korean out of the country? How can we finance children? When they do succeed, how do refugees, facing social isolation and meager employment, plan to pay off that loan?

They say freedom is priceless, but I plan to put one anyway and hope for both refugees and lenders, it is worth the price. I don’t consider it immoral, but others may disagree.

There is much research I have to do. I’ll have to find honest brokers. I’ll have to find ways to communicate with both refugees and lenders without comprising refugee’s safety. I’ll have to provide information to lender that their loans are worth it without giving too much information (like real names).

Hopefully, these questions will be answered and I will launch my new initiative and put my own money on the line to see if this is a sustainable model.

It’s my turn to act.

(Cross-posted in Are You Insane?, my personal blog on other topics).

I just went to Starbuck and learned that the purchase of my Expresso Truffle sent $.05 to (red). I take no issue of corporations taking part of charitable courses. Having taken part in non-profit organizations, any help is appreciated. But I cannot help but notice that it is a ploy to steer people towards certain high-end products.

My expresso, like almost every Starbucks coffees, tasted like a combination of burning and sweetness. It also costs $3.65 for a Tall (small in Starbuckese).

Dell’s Product (RED) steers me towards their high end XPS desktops and their mid-range Studio 15 and Studio 17 Laptops (which has a 75 premium for some pretty cool designs). I’m pretty sure I won’t be getting a Product (RED) Mini9 anytime soon.

It’s like corporations are putting the onus on their customers to help, (RED)’s case, HIV victims in Africa. What if we don’t buy Product (RED)? Will they not send the money?

I reiterate. Whatever it takes to get money to worthy causes is okay in my book. But it would be nice for corporation to use cheaper high-volume products.

Tdaxp has a round up of Olympic protests around the world.

Now, I have no problem with protesting the Olympics and I most certainly enjoy watching Chinese officials going out of the way keep everyone under wraps and suck the fun out of the games.

My question is, “In the eyes of the Chinese people, why should they believe in your cause?”

While the concept of human rights seems obvious to Westerners, it’s different for the Chinese, since they are commonly the very people accused of being human rights violators.

The point is not whether the Chinese are complicit in human rights violations (they are), but whether protestors are making a case to the Chinese that what they are doing is wrong.

Based on the round-up… not really. The point of protest is to convince others of your position, not feel good about sticking it to the man.

I spend a lot of time criticizing the Chinese government and its people for its treatment of North Koreans. But given the chance to tell them in their face, I better be more engaging and less embarrassing.