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.
How Traveling To Rwanda Changed My Perspective
Mary Goldberg is a Junior at Loyola Academy in Chicago. She works with her cousins to increase awareness about Opportunity's work on her high school campus, and she traveled to Rwanda with her family in the summer of 2014. To learn more about bringing Opportunity to your school, visit opportunity.org/campus. When I tell people that I went to Rwanda with my cousins, my grandmother and my uncle, a common response is, "Where is that?" Surprisingly, not many of my peers have heard about this…
Read MoreWe're Empowering Africa's Farmers to Face Climate Change
You may already know that Opportunity International’s agricultural finance initiative helps smallholder farmers in Africa enhance their agricultural yields, household incomes and living standards. What you may not know, however, is that the program also protects both our agricultural clients and financial institutions against some of the key risks associated with global climate change, including catastrophic farm losses. Opportunity International is addressing climate change in a variety of ways,…
Read MoreLooking Beyond Traditional Giving
In 2009, David Allman wasn't one to let even a worldwide economic downturn get in the way of his support for Opportunity International. David, a prominent real estate developer in Atlanta, is Chair of Opportunity International, Nicaragua. He and his wife Donna are also highly involved in the Ambassadors Council. Like many others, he felt the effects when the financial markets fell, and cash became a precious commodity. "My passion for what Opportunity is doing in Nicaragua hadn't changed a bit,"…
Read More1 Client at a Time
Merry Christmas to you and your family! I'm honored to wrap up our special 12 Days of Christmas series by highlighting a key reason Opportunity International has been so successful over the years in helping people around the world break the cycle of poverty, transform their lives and strengthen their families and communities. Every client relationship begins with an understanding that each individual has unique needs, dreams and potential. That means each client receives highly personalized services…
Read More2 Media Stories You Don't Want to Miss
This year, Opportunity International Global CEO Vicki Escarra spoke about our innovative, transformational work in a number of prominent news outlets, including Bloomberg and CCTV. As we remember 2014, here are two interviews that you don't want to miss: Vicki Escarra, Global CEO for Opportunity International, discussed Opportunity's goal to create 20 million jobs around the world with Bloomberg's Trish Regan on "Street Smart." Vicki Escarra also spoke on CCTV regarding bridging the gap…
Read More3 Clients You Should Know
Meet Said Busesire, a plantain farmer in Uganda. Each day Said Busesire follows the same routine. Just after midnight he starts the 15 km journey to Mbarara, the nearest big town, pushing plaintains through the darkness on his bike. In Mbarara, he sells his harvest to hotels where he has earned a reputation for timeliness and honest pricing. Later in the day he makes another round-trip journey to sell a second load of bananas at the market. When he finally returns home, Said works his land, preparing…
Read More4 Continents of Impact
Sometimes, sitting in Opportunity International’s US office in Oak Brook, Illinois, it’s easy for me to overlook the depth and diversity of our reach. So often my mind is stuck on the immediate things: the morning commute/did I lock my door today/outstanding emails needing a reply/proposals to write/yes, I definitely left my apartment unlocked this morning…you get picture – some days it seems there is no end to the small things clamoring for my attention. When life is busy, it’s easy to…
Read More5 Golden Rings
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me – FIVE GOLDEN RINGS. For me, December marks 11 amazing years of service working at Opportunity. As I reflect, I consider all that has changed here at Opportunity International as our outreach to hard-working entrepreneurs across the globe soars. One thing from back here in my corner cubicle has not changed a single iota over the years – my true love for our amazing clients. Let me tell you about Jorelyn who operates a thriving business selling…
Read More6 Pressing Challenges Facing Women and Girls - And How We're Helping
1. Financial Exclusion. Thirty-seven percent (37%) of women worldwide have a bank account compared to 46% of men. Additionally, more women report using someone else’s account than men, which may reveal key barriers women face in opening an account on their own. Despite the gender gap in global financial inclusion rates, research affirms that children’s lives improve when women are more involved in money management in their households. Opportunity recognizes the challenges women face in accessing…
Read More7 Ways to Double Your Impact
The end of the year is upon us. With Christmas just around the corner, before we know it 2014 will have drawn to a close. Thanks to the dedication, passion and generosity of our supporters, Opportunity International has had a very exciting year thus far, providing millions of families with the loans, savings, training and support they need to leave poverty in the past. However, the year isn’t over yet. If you are looking to increase your impact by paying it forward this holiday season, we want…
Read More