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Microfinance

What We’re Watching: Mary Ellen Iskenderian at Tedx Wall Street

by Lauren Williamson

How did you pay for your house? Your car? Your children’s college education? If you’re like most people, you took out loans. You repaid them with hard-earned money stashed away in an interest-bearing savings account. You worked with a financial advisor to ensure you borrowed and invested wisely. And you took out insurance to provide for your family in the event something catastrophic should happen. Each of these financial services is part of a system that keeps you and your family secure. But…

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Family is at the heart of Opportunity International’s work

by Opportunity International

It’s instinct to begin nesting when you’re pregnant: painting the nursery, stocking up on miniature blankets and buying new furniture. But imagine if your dream involved not rocking horses and diaper bags but simply trying to get a roof on your home. Aleyda Luque was pregnant with her first daughter, Brittany, and had been living in a walled shelter with no roof for four years when she received her first Opportunity International loan. Along with 17 other families in her Nicaraguan village who…

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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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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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Opportunity’s Banking on Africa Programs are a Step Ahead

by Kristabel Stark

Kristabel was an Intern with Opportunity International in the Summer of 2013. Close your eyes and picture Africa.What do you see? A hungry child? A war-torn village? It’s no surprise if you do: The portrayal of Africa in the U.S. media has long focused on its political and social crises. But as President Obama met with African business and political leaders in South Africa, Senegal and Tanzania in June of 2013, he addressed Africa as an emerging trade partner and peer—not a patient seeking urgent…

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Howard Buffett: Awareness, Knowledge and Education Key to Food Security

by Lauren Williamson

Farmer and philanthropist Howard G. Buffett believes we each have about 40 years—40 chances—to meet our goals. His ambitious goal is to end global hunger by 2045—a noble ideal we share here at Opportunity International. That’s why we partnered Monday with the Chicago Council on Global Affairs to present a discussion between Buffett and his son, Howard W. Buffett, who co-authored the book, 40 Chances: Finding Hope in a Hungry World. The key to solving the world’s food security crisis, he…

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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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CEO Vicki Escarra Blogs about Agriculture Finance for Huffington Post

by Lauren Williamson

Africa has enough arable land to feed a population of 2.5 billion—yet millions of its 1 billion people go hungry every day. But at Opportunity International, we believe equipping farmers in Africa with the funding and market connections to stabilize their production is key to breaking the cycle of hunger. It’s a message Opportunity International CEO Vicki Escarra underscored in her most recent Huffington Post blog about the link between agriculture finance and food security. The blog post spotlighted…

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