Today, I was browsing through and stumbled across a website called Kiva.org
Kiva.org allows individuals to make $25 loans to low-income entrepreneurs in the developing world (microfinance). By doing so, individuals like you provide affordable working capital for the poor (money to buy a sewing machine, livestock, etc.), empowering them to earn their way out of poverty.
It’s a new, direct and sustainable way to fight global poverty, and the way I see it, I get a higher return on $25 helping someone build a future than the interest my checking account pays.
Anyways, if you have a minute, please check out the site: http://kiva.org. If you need more "reputable" validation than my recommendation :), know that they have received great press in publications ranging from The Wall Street Journal to NPR to BusinessWeek.
I have signed up with them and am already doing my bit. Why dont you also contribute and help create a self sustaining society? It is much better than giving a donation which only work for once. By helping someone create a business, we are helping them to help themselves or life. This is the same reason, I believe that money should be spent towards education, which helps in creating educated members in the society who can earn.
Here is my Kiva.org page: http://www.kiva.org/lender/abhishekrungta
And here you can start helping someone NOW!