Shiko sometimes has surplus funds in its account. We keep a reserve in case of contingencies, but rather than having it all sitting getting dusty in a bank account, we loan some of it to individuals in Africa who need to raise funds to get small scale businesses off the ground. We have now loaned money to over 40 individuals and groups across Africa.
We do this through an organisation called Kiva.
For more information on them and to see examples of individuals and groups we have lent money to, visit Shiko's Kiva page: http://www.kiva.org/lender/shiko5107

We try to choose businesses that will serve their communities well and that seem sustainable without continued loans/ support from abroad.

We also from time to time elect to donate surplus funds to a charitable cause. This year (2010) we have so far donated £100 towards helping the people of Haiti