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.
Breakout Session: Global Food Security: Call to Action
As the hunger crisis persists in the Horn of Africa and elsewhere, the urgent need continues for agricultural development, nutrition assistance and humanitarian response–both short- and long-term. Join this discussion that explores the ethical, economic and global security justifications for a comprehensive and coordinated strategy to address worldwide hunger. Facilitator: Dennis Ripley, senior VP, international business development Panelists: Ambassador Tony Hall, Director, Alliance to End Hunger Dr.…
Read MoreBreakout Session: Agricultural Finance: Cultivating Hope
With 65% of the Sub-Saharan African labor force employed in agriculture, which provides 32% of GDP growth, according to the World Bank, the importance of the sector to the economy is clear. Agriculture is recognized as the key to revitalizing Sub-Saharan Africa’s rural regions and significantly reducing the level of poverty. In this breakout session, John Magnay, Opportunity International‘s senior agricultural advisor, explains Opportunity’s innovative and holistic approach to providing small-scale…
Read MoreWatch it Live! Opportunity International Conference Video Stream Starts Friday 8:30 a.m. PST
Unable to join us in person for the Opportunity International Conference? No problem. Just tune in tomorrow-Friday, Oct. 14 at 8:30 a.m. PST–as we stream live video from the conference until Saturday, Oct. 15 at 12:00 p.m. Go to opportunity.org/live to watch it live. Here are just a few of the plenary and breakout session speakers on Friday and Saturday who will share their expertise and experiences in reducing global poverty—and inspire you to become part of something big: Steven Levy, author,…
Read MoreOpportunity Implementing Member ASKI in the Philippines Wins SIPAG Award, Donates Prize to Local Typhoon Victims
Opportunity International is proud to report that one of our implementing members in the Philippines, Alalay Sa Kaunlaran Sa Gitnang Luzon, Inc. (ASKI), was recently rewarded for their outstanding achievements by the National Livelihood Development Corporation (NLDC). The honorary award received by ASKI was part of the sixth annual SIPAG (Sustainable Income for People in Agrarian Grassroots) Awards, which started in 2006 to encourage and promote the best practices and achievements of NLDC’s partner…
Read MoreCongratulations to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, One of the Winners of 2011 Nobel Peace Prize
Congratulations to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, winner of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize along with Liberian peace activist Leymah Gboweeh and Yemeni pro-democracy human rights campaigner Tawakkol Karman. They were the first women to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize since Professor Wangari Maathai, who passed away a couple weeks ago, won in 2004. It was awarded to them in acknowledgment of their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation…
Read MoreWhat We’re Watching: Banking on Education Video by Students of the World at CGI 2011
We’re watching this video produced in partnership with Students of the World, which had its world premiere on the main stage at this year’s CGI. In it, Opportunity staff and clients discuss the goals and the impact of our Banking on Education program, which provides loans, savings and training to 280 schools serving 120,000 students in Malawi, Uganda and Ghana so that more impoverished families can educate their children. Watch it now: Want to learn more about Opportunity’s work to improve…
Read MoreBuilding Access to Savings and Financial Services
Despite a desire to save and plan for the future, impoverished people are often excluded from commercial banks. In fact, fewer than 10% of people living on less than $2 a day have access to savings accounts. In the last 40 years, Opportunity International has become a global leader in building regulated banks that provide interest-bearing savings accounts to impoverished people. With money in the bank, our clients can now purchase medicine for a sick child, replace a leaking roof, or prepare for…
Read MoreFaith in Action: Opportunity Supporter Walks 500 Miles of Christian Pilgrimage El Camino de Santiago
With just 50 miles to go, Opportunity International supporter Ann Loar Brooks is about to complete a 500-mile walk for Ugandan women. Ann began her journey on August 27th, hiking the last 500 miles of the Christian pilgrimage El Camino de Santiago, which starts from southern France and winds through the Pyrenees across northern Spain. Her mission: to raise awareness about Opportunity and donations of $15,000 through an online fundraiser to support the Women’s Opportunity Network Uganda campaign,…
Read MoreMobile Phone Banking & Technology: Learn from Microfinance Experts
Geoffrey Thige, chief operations officer of Opportunity International Kenya, arrived at our Oak Brook, Ill. offices this week–his first stop in a U.S. tour that culminates as a guest speaker at Opportunity’s conference in San Francisco, Oct. 14-15. With over 15 years of experience in microfinance, COO Thige oversees Transformation, IT, Risk/Compliance and Special Projects at Opportunity Kenya, guiding his staff to directly impact the lives of clients through training programs that enable them…
Read MoreWhat We’re Watching: Opportunity Lifts Up Families with the Support of the Caterpillar Foundation
It’s through the commitment of individuals and strategic partner organizations like the Caterpillar Foundation that Opportunity International is able to do so much to impact the lives of our clients. Watch this video about Opportunity’s work to end global poverty with the support of the Caterpillar Foundation: Want to learn more about our partnership with the Caterpillar Foundation? Go to caterpillar.com/foundation»
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