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.
Agriculture Team Spotlight
Q&A with Tim Strong, Regional Agriculture Finance Adviser, Branchless Banking Tim Strong (right) walks the field with a farmer. Years with Opportunity: 2 wonderful years Favorite Part About Your Job: Watching local staff become excited about new ways of serving rural clients Distance Traveled: I see about 50 clients per week and, to do that, travel 1,500 miles by car per week, plus 6,000 miles by plane per month Something You’ve Learned From a Client: Since I was a child, I’ve always been…
Read MoreFeeding the Future: Ending Global Hunger
The majority of those struggling with hunger live in rural regions where they depend upon agriculture to survive. Ironically, it is those people who are growing food who often struggle the most to eat enough of it.
Read MoreOpportunity In Action: March Edition
Read our March edition of Opportunity In Action to learn about the many challenges women and girls in poverty face and how Opportunity is empowering them through education and inclusion.
Read MoreEmpowered Women Change the World
Beyond simple human decency, there are other factors at play that make gender equality such a significant priority for those working in development around the world.
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Governor Gives Back on a Big Birthday
When Jason Williford of Fort Worth, Texas turned 40 last year, he and wife Betsy didn't order black balloons and "over the hill" banners. They decided to model Jason's birthday party after their son's 5th birthday party. That's right - Cody Williford's 5th birthday. When Cody turned five a few years ago, he had just been read the book One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference, by Katie Smith Milway. Cody decided that instead of receiving gifts for his birthday, he wanted to donate his 5th…
Read MoreOpportunity International EduFinance, Teach A Man To Fish, and Fundación Paraguaya Partner to Expand School Enterprise Challenge in Tanzania
Opportunity International EduFinance, Teach A Man To Fish, and Fundación Paraguaya Partner to Expand School Enterprise Challenge in Tanzania March 10, 2017 // by Nathan Byrd Opportunity International EduFinance, Teach A Man to Fish (TAMTF) and Fundación Paraguaya have agreed to a partnership targeting expansion of the School Enterprise Challenge to in Tanzania. The partnership will bring business skills to schools, teachers and students, aiming to benefit at least 10,000 children with a strong…
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Beauty After the Storm
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Opportunity’s Global CEO, Vicki Escarra, to learn about her recent trip to Malawi, Africa. Pen in hand I was prepared to hear about the typical field visit—news about the banks, meetings upon meetings and always a much anticipated tidbit about our dear clients. What I wasn’t prepared for rocked me to my very core. As a 13+ year employee of Opportunity who started working with Vicki on her very first day as CEO, I thought I knew a lot about her. I…
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End Poverty in All Its Forms Everywhere
In 2015, about 10% of the world’s population—736 million people—lived in extreme poverty. And this crisis has become more severe in the wake of COVID-19. The World Bank estimates that 150 million people will be pushed back into extreme poverty by the end of 2021—marking the first time our progress has reversed in decades.
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A Love Worth Celebrating
When Elton Guazambera was hospitalized last year, his life was filled with uncertainties. Would he recover? What would his long-term diagnosis be? But unlike most of his neighbors in Lilongwe, Malawi, Elton had one thing he didn’t need to worry about: whether he could afford his hospital bills. Elton knew that he could get the treatment he needed because his wife Hanna had spent the last decade carefully building a savings account with Opportunity International. For years, Elton and Hanna have…
Read MoreThe Legacy of Al and Marion Whittaker
Al and Marion Whittaker had no idea what an incredible path their lives would take. Al was a gifted, unassuming businessman who had a very successful career as an executive with Bristol-Myers and the Mennen Company. His wife Marion had a generous, compassionate heart and led an active life ministering to the needs of others. They were successful by society's standards, but God was calling them to do something more. After attending a Bible conference near their home in New Jersey, they both felt called…
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