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.
Mobile Insurance: Comparing Low-Touch and High-Touch Distribution Models
This article, written by Richard Leftly of MicroEnsure, originally appeared on gsma.com as part of their series on mobile insurance. Mobile insurance has established itself as one of the fastest-growing business models in mobile financial services in emerging markets. Although MicroEnsure did not invent mobile insurance, many of the fastest-growing models are now based on the “freemium” product we built for Tigo Ghana in 2010, which has since launched in 13 other markets across Africa and…
Read MoreFarming For Africa's Future
“Three quarters of the world’s poor and chronically hungry people live in rural areas and are also mainly dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods. Smallholder farmers and rural entrepreneurs could contribute much more to producing food, job creation, national economic growth, and the preservation of natural resources. Yet they often lack the tools to do so. And many of those who are producers of food go hungry themselves. Investment in rural development is key to delivering a host of development…
Read More#TBT to Global Money Week
In March, Opportunity Malawi participated in Global Money Week. This week, for Throwback Thursday (#TBT), we are remembering this year's event. When thinking about the importance of financial awareness, it can be quite overwhelming at first. Managing money can definitely be difficult; I often feel a pang of panic whenever I take a quick peak at my bank account. Despite this, it is incredibly important for children and adults alike to start becoming mindful of the importance of financial stability…
Read MoreMeet Arnest, A Community Leader
This summer, we are exploring the path from Farm to Table - exploring the many issues smallholder farmers face around the world. After working in the telecom sector for one year, Arnest Sebbumba realized that there was something missing from his life. He looked around his community in the Kayunga District of Uganda and noticed that changes needed to be made - a lot of changes. So he took action. Arnest left his family home to attend The Uganda Institute of Information and Technology in Kampala,…
Read MoreAfrica Feeding Itself
This summer, we are exploring the path from Farm to Table - exploring the many issues smallholder farmers face around the world. In this year’s Gates Annual Letter, Bill and Melinda Gates described five big breakthroughs that they think will happen in the next 15 years. The second of these five? That Africa will be able to feed itself. Currently, American farmers get five times as much maize from their land as African farmers do. But with the introduction of higher-quality inputs and innovative…
Read MoreMeet Lucia Enacio
This summer, we are exploring the path from Farm to Table - exploring the many issues smallholder farmers face around the world. The life of a farmer and a mother are not so different. Between planting, nourishing, waiting, and protecting, both jobs are equally demanding, while remaining unconditionally rewarding. Farmers may raise crops and mothers their children, but both desire growth and prosperity as their ultimate outcome. Lucia Enacio raises both. As a mother to nine lively children and…
Read MoreUrban Gardening: Lessons from Learning to Grow
This summer, we are exploring the path from Farm to Table - exploring the many issues smallholder farmers face around the world. Last summer, my big project was to plant a garden. As someone with a historically black thumb, my little garden was a big challenge. I tried to choose “easy” plants – plants that would grow despite my best efforts. I planted mint and basil and rosemary. Lavender and thyme. I even attempted a strawberry plant. I watched and I waited all summer long as my little seeds…
Read MoreFrom Textbook to Real World: What Opportunity's New Branch in Ghana Taught Me About Opportunity In Action
Summer is here, which means that I—along with my fellow summer interns—have swapped backpacks for business casual and lecture halls for office cubicles. Personally, I couldn’t be more thrilled. Summers are a chance to step out of the swirl of quizzes, term papers, and finals and into the reality of what I’m passionate about—helping underserved and disadvantaged individuals gain access to a better quality of life. This passion is the reason I study International Relations and why I’m excited…
Read MoreSuperhero Dads
Sunday, June 21 is Father's Day! Don't forget to recognize the amazing dads in your life - and this year, give them a gift that changes lives! Millions of children consider their dad to be their ‘superhero.’ They think that their dad is the one who can ‘do it all’ and can make almost anything happen. And I have to admit - I am most definitely one of those people. Even though my dad and I are complete and total opposites, it’s hard to not get along with the person who has given you everything. My…
Read MoreHow To Celebrate Father's Day
I love celebrating awesome dads. Father’s Day is just around the corner, and it is the perfect excuse to honor and recognize amazing men who are transforming their families and communities. This Father’s Day, I’m celebrating dads like Patrick, whose deep desire to create a better future for his children gave him the motivation he needed to turn a family farm into a booming business. Dads like Don Antonio, who has grown his farm into an enterprise that is transforming not only his family,…
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