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A Call for Sustainable Development on Oct. 17, United Nations Poverty Eradication Day

by Opportunity International

Today, October 17, is the United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (IDEP) and this year’s theme is “From Poverty to Sustainability: People at the Centre of Inclusive Development.” First commemorated in 1987, the IDEP is “an annual opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of people living in poverty and to have their voices heard, recognizing that poor people are at the forefront of the fight against poverty and are critical partners for achieving sustainable development.”…

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Conference LiveBlog: Aleksandr-Alain Kalanda, CEO of Opportunity Malawi

by Opportunity International

This morning, the impassioned and inspiring Aleksandr-Alain Kalanda, CEO of Opportunity Malawi, spoke at the conference plenary session about the triumphs of launching Opportunity International Bank of Malawi (OIBM) in 2003–offering formal financial services to impoverished people in Malawi–and the ongoing challenges they still need to address in order to access more of that country. Through Aleksandr and Opportunity Malawi, we truly see the power of microfinance at work. Highlights from Aleksandr-Alain…

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Conference LiveBlog: Nadine Pembele, Head of Training at Opportunity DR Congo

by Opportunity International

This third and final plenary session of the day opens with remarks by Mary Lynn Staley, chair of the Opportunity International Board of Governors. She introduces Nadine Pembele, Head of Training for Opportunity International in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Highlights from Nadine Pembele’s Presentation I am very honored to have the opportunity to join you this weekend, and to speak to you all tonight. I’d like to give you a brief snapshot of my country. The DRC, once known as Zaire,…

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Breakout Session: Agricultural Finance: Cultivating Hope

by Emily Riemer

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…

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Building Access to Savings and Financial Services

by Opportunity International

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…

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Faith in Action: Opportunity Supporter Walks 500 Miles of Christian Pilgrimage El Camino de Santiago

by Opportunity International

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,…

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Mobile Phone Banking & Technology: Learn from Microfinance Experts

by Opportunity International

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…

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What We’re Watching: Opportunity Lifts Up Families with the Support of the Caterpillar Foundation

by Opportunity International

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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Supporting Rural Farmers, Reducing Poverty and Hunger

by Opportunity International

The John Deere Foundation recently approved a $2.5 million grant to support Opportunity’s agricultural finance program, which will extend a full range of financial services and crop-specific loans to smallholder farmers in five countries in Africa. “We are impressed with the progress that Opportunity International has made in increasing access to financial services for African farmers, food processors and retailers,” said John Bustle, vice president, John Deere Foundation. “Likewise, we…

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What We’re Reading: The Huffington Post on a Microfinance Client in Bogotá

by Elmira Bayrasli

The following post, “Turning Bogota’s Red Light Green: The Miracle of Microfinance,” by Elmira Bayrasli, was published on The Huffington Post on Monday, Sept. 12. It explores the impact of Opportunity’s microfinance work in Colombia, including loans, savings and training, on one Bogotá client. The original post on huffingtonpost.com can be found by clicking here. Bogotá’s red light district, zona roja, is gritty and grim. It teems with drug addicts, transvestites and menacing figures…

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