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Carol Stream, Illinois 60132

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© 2024 Opportunity Internationala 501(c)3 nonprofit. EIN: 540907624.

News Blog

Transforming Education in Langbinsi: A Story of Growth and Resilience

by Jason Amoo

This blog was originally published on edufinance.org. In the heart of Langbinsi, a small community in the North East region of Ghana, lies ‘Charity Begins at Home Academy’. Established in 2003 by Moari Sulley, this school began with a simple yet profound vision: to provide accessible education to children who lacked the means to attend distant schools. Over the years, the academy has grown from serving a handful of students to nurturing the educational journey of 231 young learners today.…

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Summer in the Field

by Tonthalell Walters

This summer was filled with life-changing experiences as we embarked on a series of unforgettable Insight Trips, beginning in the vibrant communities of Colombia, journeying through the heart of Uganda, and culminating in the rich landscapes of Malawi. Each destination offered a unique glimpse into the lives of those we serve, leaving our Board of Directors, staff, and donors not only impacted by the stories they heard but also inspired by the resilience and hope they witnessed. Join us as we revisit…

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Staff Spotlight: Sury Ruiz

by Tonthalell Walters

Sury Ruiz is a living testament of transformation. Growing up in Colombia, she has always felt a profound connection to the concept of change—whether in her own life, her community, or the families she supports daily. This passion for transformation has fueled Sury's commitment to helping others unlock their potential and break free from the cycle of extreme poverty. She firmly believes that passion and purpose are the cornerstones of lifelong change. Over a decade ago, Sury’s journey in the…

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Governor Spotlight: Steve & Amy Sirich

by Allison Hastings

Steve Sirich has always been an endurance athlete, so when his friend Greg Nelson mentioned that Opportunity International was beginning to discuss a trip to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, his ears immediately perked up. “I had always been curious about Kilimanjaro,” Steve shared. “So it felt a bit like a when, not an if.” Two years later, Steve had his opportunity—but a lot had changed in his personal life. He had suffered an injury that left him on a long recovery plan, and he had been diagnosed…

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Graduating to a New Future

by Kelli Walker

“Colombia is filled with people of hope, heart, and ingenuity regardless of where you live or where you were born…You have opened a path for the next generation and the generation ahead of you as well,” said Camilo Garcia, Opportunity International Vice President of Strategic Partnerships in Latin America, to a room full of graduates, their families, and community members present to support this incredible feat. The Ultra-Poverty Graduation program offers a long-term solution for families…

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Climbing Mountains, Changing Lives: Our Kilimanjaro Adventure

by Jacquelyn Lane

Twenty years ago, as a 10-year-old girl watching an IMAX documentary about Kilimanjaro, I turned to my mom and said, \"I want to do that with you someday.\" Little did I know that two decades later, this childhood dream would not only come true but also become a powerful vehicle for change through Opportunity International's Team Opportunity. Our journey to the roof of Africa was more than just a physical challenge—it was a testament to the power of dreams, perseverance, and the incredible impact…

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Donor Spotlight: Renee & Jacquelyn Lane

by Kelli Walker

Renee Lane and her daughter, Jacquelyn, turn their deep faith into action that lifts up everyone they meet. Guided by grace, gratitude, humility, service, and stewardship, Renee and Jacquelyn are preparing to scale a literal mountain to raise awareness, funds, and hope for families living in the deepest poverty in Malawi. Dr. Gary and Renee Lane raised their three children in Colorado. Dr. Gary and Renee, who has her MS, RN, and ANP, are well-known in their town of Pueblo, not only for their medical…

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Growing Beyond the Field: Malawi Graduation

by Joe Dutra

Many kilometers outside of Blantyre, Malawi, over 300 people came together outside of a rural school to honor the 103 women who completed their 2-year program. Complete with workforce and finance trainings, connections to social support, and direct resource transfers—the clients of our ultra-poverty graduation (UPG) program have been able to build sustainable livelihoods based on the needs of their families and communities. The women of this program started off making less than $1 a day, struggling…

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Reaching Refugees

by Kelli Walker

Bitalie Biamo uses her sewing machine in her workshop in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda (Photo Credit: Kate Holt / Opportunity International) Our vision is a world in which all people have the opportunity to achieve a life free from poverty, with dignity and purpose. Opportunity International vision Global Refugee Population The United Nations Refugee Agency estimates that there were over 108.4 million forcibly displaced people worldwide at the end of 2022, of whom 35.3 million were refugees,…

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Staff Spotlight: Mauricio Rincon

by Joe Dutra

What turns a Wall Street banker into an international development advocate? One word: passion. Mauricio Rincon’s life is made up of unique juxtapositions. His grandparents were smallholder farmers, but they moved to the city to build a new life. He spent most of his time in college in the economics department—but found his real passion on the streets of Ciudad Bolivar, the largest slum of his native Bogota, building an education-oriented nonprofit organization with his friends. He spent most…

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