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© 2026 Opportunity Internationala 501(c)3 nonprofit. EIN: 540907624.
Headquarters: 101 N Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60606

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Transform Lives on Cyber Monday

by Opportunity International

This holiday season give a gift that transforms lives. With Opportunity Gift Cards, your friends, family and co-workers can help entrepreneurs in the developing world work their way out of poverty. Gift card recipients can choose a client, like Mary Luz from Colombia (pictured here), help fund her loan and then track her progress via email updates from Opportunity International. Everyday, parents like Mary strive to provide a brighter future for their children. At 13 years old, Mary was forced to…

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Rebuilding after Typhoon Haiyan: Opportunity International Helps Clients, Staff in the Philippines

by Lauren Williamson

As Typhoon Haiyan neared the Philippines last week, Opportunity International staff member Jeramae, her husband and her mother fled the coastal village Roxas City in Capiz with just one set of clothes each. They returned after the typhoon to find their neighborhood flattened and their home destroyed. Not a single possession could be salvaged. It has been a tragic week for the Opportunity International family. Typhoon Haiyan left roughly 1,000 staff members’ homes in ruins, and even more devastating,…

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Entrepreneurs in India are Supporting their Families

by Opportunity International

Jayanthi works hard to keep her daughters in school Jayanthi’s husband passed away in 2004 after which she sought training in sewing and studied basics in computer. Although she worked several jobs, it was difficult for Jayanthi to support her daughters Lavanya and Abinaya. When she learned of Opportunity International’s Trust Groups in her community, she quickly capitalized on the opportunity and got involved. As a patron of education, Jayanthi never stopped learning even at hard times in life.…

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Young Ambassadors for Opportunity are celebrating #GivingTuesday

by Opportunity International

We know that there’s nothing more important in the world than our families. We do all we can each day to make sure their lives are happy, secure and comfortable. And the same is true for the millions of determined Opportunity International clients in the developing world. That’s why Arnest Sebbumba gave up a successful career in telecommunications to return to his parents’ struggling dairy farm in Uganda’s Kayunga District. With the help of an Opportunity International loan, the 25-year-old…

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Thomas Bugembe Provides Brighter Futures for Ugandan Students

by Opportunity International

Thomas Balya Bugembe founded Maryhill Kindergarten and Junior School in Sonde, Uganda in 2006 with just 37 students, holding lessons in two rooms on a rented plot of land. Determined to provide a better education for his students, Thomas obtained a series of Opportunity International loans. As a result of his hard work and passion for education, Thomas purchased his own land and constructed both a kindergarten block as well as a main hall for the school which now serves 356 students. Thomas’ dream…

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Your Mobile Phone Can Deliver Inspiration

by Opportunity International

Forced to flee her home to escape the violence of Colombia’s guerrilla war, Marleidis rebuilt her life with the help of an Opportunity International loan. She used the loan to set up a small shop in Cartagena to sell candy and cell phone minutes. Today, she has a steady income and is ensuring a bright future for her son and a secure beginning for her unborn child. Join Opportunity International this holiday season to honor the importance of family and celebrate entrepreneurs like Marleidis who…

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Introducing the CEM, Chief Executive Mother

by Trent Anderson

Trent was an Intern with Opportunity International in the Summer of 2013. The average chief executive officer’s (CEO) responsibilities include building relationships, managing and planning. Most CEOs earn their prominent positions through experience, hard work and intelligence. These same core strengths and values comprise the foundation of a mother’s work. It’s ironic because women, despite their principal familial roles, remain one of the most subjugated social groups worldwide. The idea…

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The Need for Drinkable Water

by Steph Jimenez

Steph was an Intern with Opportunity International in the Summer of 2013. Our first instinct on a hot, humid day is to drink a cold, refreshing glass of water. We rarely think twice about whether it’s available. Faucet on, faucet off. Though clean drinking water is essential for health, 780 million people have no access to it. Inadequate drinking water poses serious health risks such as tapeworms, diarrhea and viruses that lead, in some cases, to preventable deaths. Daily, millions of people across…

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Opportunity International Gets Blog Action Day Shout Outs

by Madeline Stone

Every year in October, bloggers from around the world unite on Blog Action Day to write about a single topic. This year, it’s Human Rights. Here at Opportunity International we believe a life of dignity and purpose is a fundamental right. Unfortunately most budding entrepreneurs in the developing world don’t have access to education and training necessary to start their own business. Most banks turn them down when they ask for a loan. But not here at Opportunity International. We give small loans…

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Proper Healthcare – A Prerequisite to Economic Development in Africa

by Opportunity International

Monday October 7 is Child Health Day. A day intended to raise people’s awareness of how they can protect and develop children’s health. The following post is by Christie Lacey. Christie was an Intern with Opportunity International in the Summer of 2013. Imagine living in an area where you are lucky to live past 45, the infant mortality rate is 17 percent and more than 34 million children are orphans due to poor healthcare. This is the reality of life in sub-Saharan Africa. The African continent…

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