We all want to make a difference, but between work, studying, and socialising, it can be hard to take the time or even figure out how we can do our part to make the world a better place. If you’ve been wanting to help out the less fortunate this year, and earn some karma, here are some ways you can make a difference:

Check out Kiva

Kiva is a non-profit organisation that connects us with people who need help to improve their lives, allowing us to make micro-loans. You can lend as much as you want and as little as $25, and when the money is paid back you can either withdraw it or choose another person to help.

With close to a 100% repayment rate, Kiva is an excellent example of how the internet is changing lives around the world, and people from 84 different countries are benefiting and using loans to start and expand businesses- making life easier for both themselves and their children. Take the time to check out Kiva and see all of the different people you can help.

Volunteer locally

There’s always something that you can do locally that can help improve the lives of those around you. Maybe you can help out at a local shelter, spend some time chatting to the elderly at a nursing home or help meals on wheels. Even volunteering to watch your neighbours kids so she can work once a week can have a huge impact on their standard of living.

Support Cancer Research

At some stage of our lives, most of us will be affected by cancer. Whether it’s ourselves or a friend or family member, cancer takes far too many lives each year. Check out Cars for Cancer – a great way to give back while also going in the draw to win a car. Funds raised by the lottery will help Mater provide care for cancer patients and allow them to keep doing their incredible work as they look into better ways to diagnose, treat and cure patients. This is cancer fundraising at its best, where a good deed can not only help an Australian based charity but also put you in the running to win an amazing prize.

Adopt a pet

Pets change our lives in numerous ways, and even when we adopt them from terrible situations they somehow manage to offer us more than we offer them. If you have the ability to live with a pet, head to your local shelter and choose a dog or cat that the whole family can love. Everyone wants puppies and kittens, so try to adopt a pet that’s a little older as they have a greater chance of being put down if they aren’t adopted.

Sponsor a child

If you live in Australia you have more opportunities than 90% of the rest of the world, and it can be easy to forget that many children are going without food, education and healthcare. Sponsoring a child is an excellent way to give back, and you’ll know that your sponsorship is impacting their lives, and the lives of their families.