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Farogat Holmuradova sells women's clothing in a bazaar in Tajikistan. Hoping to improve sales by adding new styles to her selection, she's turned to Kiva.org for a small loan. In southern Azerbaijan, Aliyev Ilham and his family have lived for years off a small herd of sheep. Now, he's looking to expand his business with a temporary infusion of cash.

Because the working poor in the developing world often lack a credit record or collateral for a loan, they can't easily secure assistance from their corner banks. But for years, they've been able to turn to Kiva, a successful microloan site that connects people willing to donate small sums with the owners of individual businesses around the world who need the help. Through journals and email updates, the site shows exactly how your money is used. When the loan is repaid, you get your dough back and can start all over again with a new business. We all remember the lessons of Scrooge—put your banker suit on and help someone build their future.

It took a drunken promise, the desire for adventure, a requirement to give something back, and a fetish for formal wear to get Heath Buck and Douglas Campbell to embark on an overland trek from Hong Kong to London while dressed in black tie. Along the way, the two friends blogged and posted photos and video on their site, The Tuxedo Travels.

From wrestling in India to herbal baths in Vietnam, the guys in bow ties found plenty of adventures to share, not the least of which included laughing yoga, the world's worst toilet, working for a Dao hill tribe, and the inevitable transportation breakdown.

After their trip, Heath and Doug had a chance to chat with us about their favorite moments and share some interesting facts about their travel tuxes.

What made you guys decide to travel together?

Heath: Drunk in Hong Kong is how this story starts! I came up with the idea over a spring roll-infused drinking session at a Thai karaoke restaurant, and Doug agreed to accompany me despite the fact that we'd known each other less than two weeks.

Doug: I knew Heath just long enough to realize he's got a screw loose, which was good enough for me. Heath followed up on his inebriated idea with a phone call a year later (having asked all his other friends, and with no more joiners) and once again convinced me to join the project.

For my part, and as the bleeding-heart philanthropist of the two, I insisted on introducing a charity angle. Heath agreed provided that we do something more original than just collect cash for a chosen organization. We wanted our donating audience to see a more direct use of their money. Read the full profile...

Most of us know the stress of getting a bill paid during lean times, meeting the minimum payment for a medical procedure, or adjusting to a sudden increase in rent. And most of us get through those rough patches. But not all of us. Since 2002, Modest Needs has sought to help "otherwise... self-sufficient individuals and families" who have strayed into financial straits. Perhaps a spouse has fallen sick and the property taxes loom. Perhaps a sister can no longer care for her child and the little one needs dental work. In acts they call "preventive giving," Modest Needs makes small payments available to people who detail their situations and are verified by the group. Read the moving testimonials from recipients of these micro-gifts. And then check out the applications for help. Because so many of these pleas for assistance could come from any of us.