So, we host a lot of groups at no charge. We also realize that some people could think that’s a marketing shtick (or, worse, a marketing shtick that’s not true designed to sell hosting accounts while just hosting one or two domains at no charge), so part of what we wanted to do with this blog was introduce you all to some of the organizations that we - meaning you - help support.

DrakNet’s roots as a company are in philanthropic endeavors - the company was started because I had a non-profit site, and I had a good deal on hosting. In 1996, I started reselling accounts to help defray the costs of the non-profit site, and in July of 1998 we had enough accounts that I thought it was a good idea to create a site just for them with information. Eventually, we had so many accounts that it made more sense to get a server, and eventually DrakNet migrated from a side endeavor to a full-fledged hosting company.

DrakNet’s roots, though, are still alive and well. We never forgot how we started, and over the past 11 years have remained committed to that first focus - supporting organizations with free services so that they can focus their raised money on helping.

The Ferret Aid Society was one of our very first non-profit sites hosted here at DrakNet at no charge.

Located in Mississauga, Ontario, The Ferret Aid Society is a ferret rescue organization run 100% on a volunteer basis. They have no paid employees - they do have a lot of cute ferrets that need homes, though, since they are a “no kill” shelter.

The Ferret Aid Society relies on the donations of animal lovers to keep them running, and we’re glad to do something to help out the fuzzies so that donated funds go to saving ferrets, and not paying hosting fees.

Stop by The Ferret Aid Society’s web site, and marvel at what good use your hosting fees have gone to (and make a donation while you’re there!)

We’ve made a second Kiva loan in April thanks to an upswing in PayPal payments before end end of the month!

Our second loan of April 2008 is to Bridget Uhebagwi of Nigeria:

Bridget Uhebagwi is a typical business woman. She sells bread in Ireke Community, Lagos State, Nigeria. She was born there and lives there even now. Bridget acquired her business skills many years ago and has been in this business since1988. At 53 years of age, with 8 children, she still has the energy needed for business. According to her, selling bread is the only skill she has acquired and, she treasures it. She is requesting a loan of $700 to buy more bread to sell.

We’ve chosen Bridget because the woman has eight children, and runs a business. I only have one kid and own a business, so her stamina is something I admire greatly - and envy quite a bit!

To read more about Bridget, you can visit her loan page here (she still needs more lenders!), or you can keep up with all our Kiva loans and their progress by visiting DrakNet’s Kiva Lender Page.