50 Weeks of Opportunity
Each week for the next 50 weeks, we will share a piece of Opportunity’s history—major or minor, sobering or inspiring, we have gotten where we are today by facing some of the world’s greatest challenges, with you by our side. Please join us in celebrating the many impactful moments that have built the foundation on which we will embark on our most audacious vision yet: ending extreme poverty.
50 for 50: The Earliest Trust Groups
This essay is a selection from the special edition of UnPoverty by Mark Lutz. The new edition has been released in celebration of Opportunity International’s 50th Anniversary, featuring new chapters from leaders throughout Opportunity’s history.
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50 for 50: The Power of Digital Finance
This essay is a selection from the special edition of UnPoverty by Mark Lutz. The new edition has been released in celebration of Opportunity International’s 50th Anniversary, featuring new chapters from leaders throughout Opportunity’s history.
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50 for 50: Revisiting the Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, 193 countries committed to 17 ambitious goals—goals designed to promote and measure progress toward equity and development worldwide. This year, as we look back on 50 years of impact, join us as we revisit these essential milestones.
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50 for 50: Exploring the Graduation Model
This essay is a selection from the special edition of UnPoverty by Mark Lutz. The new edition has been released in celebration of Opportunity International’s 50th Anniversary, featuring new chapters from leaders throughout Opportunity’s history.
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50 for 50: The Role of Biometrics in Financial Inclusion
A key innovation in Opportunity programming, biometric identification, overcomes many traditional identification, banking, and account management challenges. Individuals with no reading education or those who do not have or regularly carry government-issued credentials—like a driver’s license or birth certificate—can still open, manage, and access accounts.
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50 for 50: Catalyst Award - Janelle Lassonde
We’re overjoyed to present the Catalyst Award to Janelle Lassonde, who was instrumental in taking our Education Finance program from a pilot to a major pillar program.
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50 for 50: Trailblazer Award - Nathan Byrd
We are honored to present Nathan Byrd, who had previously served as head of Opportunity’s Education Finance program, with a Trailblazer Award for his tireless work developing and growing Opportunity’s initiative.
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50 for 50: History of the Governors
As we celebrate Opportunity’s 50th anniversary, we are looking back at the history of the Governors—and the incredible people who have led and shaped this community over the years.
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50 for 50: Looking Back at Youth Programs
Opportunity International is committed to providing educational, financial, and vocational opportunities to the world’s youth.
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50 for 50: History of Education Progress
Research shows that giving children access to a quality education reduces poverty and inequality, increases life expectancy, and gives women and girls more decision-making power. Put simply, education is one of the best tools we have to end generational poverty.
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