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News Blog

Over 150 Chicagoans Gather at Schubas for Tunes for Tanzania

by Emily Blanco

Last night, on Tuesday, Nov. 30, Young Ambassadors for Opportunity (YAO) held its first-ever Tunes for Tanzania. This was a benefit concert featuring local bands who came together to help raise money and awareness for Opportunity International’s microfinance work in Tanzania. Schubas Tavern, in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, was packed with over 150 guests to support this great cause! With appetizers from the buffet in one hand and a drink in the other, attendees were able to mingle…

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The UPS Foundation Awards Grant to Expand Opportunity’s Microfinance Services in India

by Opportunity International

Today, we announced that The UPS Foundation, the charitable arm of UPS, has awardedOpportunity International a grant in the amount of $100,000. The grant fosters economic literacy, as well as improves access to affordable microfinance services in India. “Opportunity International is grateful to The UPS Foundation for its dedication to helping impoverished families receive access to financial education and support,” said Dennis Ripley, our SVP of International Business Development. “Their…

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Dick Hoefs, A Lasting Legacy

by Opportunity International

We give thanks for our dear brother, friend and mentor, Dick Hoefs, who passed away on Nov. 26 in the presence of his loving family. Dick supported Opportunity clients for nearly 25 years and served on Opportunity boards for 15 years, including as chairman of Opportunity U.S. in 1992 and 1993. Many thanks to Dick Hoefs, who passed away on Nov. 26, 2010, for all his years of service to Opportunity's clients. Dick’s faithful presence, wisdom and tenacity have helped guide Opportunity for many years.…

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World AIDS Day: How Does Microinsurance Make an Impact?

by Lydia Baldridge Meier

Today, Dec. 1, is World AIDS Day. 2.4 billion people around the world live on $2 a day or less and of those only 80 million people have access to microinsurance. In areas where HIV/AIDS is prevalent, people often cannot afford the healthcare they desperately need.   Campaigns manager Lydia Baldridge Meier interviewed Richard Leftley, the president of MicroEnsure, Opportunity’s microinsurance intermediary. She asked him to look back on his work and how it impacts those living with HIV/AIDS.   Opportunity’s…

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Pepperdine University Welcomes Microfinance Loan Officer Susan Chunda

by Alison Oviedo

On Tuesday, Nov. 16, the Los Angeles chapter of YAO brought international guest Susan Chunda, an Opportunity Malawi loan officer, to share her experience with over 250 students on Pepperdine University’s campus. Students were lined up outside waiting to hear from Susan and the YAO-LA chapter about microfinance. Pepperdine students are especially excited about microfinance, as on-campus microfinance club president Rachel Williams and vice president Becca Faulkner have recruited over thirty…

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The Power to Fight AIDS: A Mozambiquan Microfinance Client Shows His Strength

by Eric Wolcott

This week, Wednesday, Dec. 1 marks the 22nd annual World AIDS Day. Since 1988, it has become one of the most recognized international health days and provides a key opportunity each year to raise awareness, remember those who have been victims of AIDS, and celebrate progress in the fight against this devastating epidemic. We all know that HIV/AIDS causes incredible pain and strife around the world. In 2009, 1.8 million people died from AIDS, while 33.3 million were living with AIDS and 2.6 million…

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Mama Rosemary Offers Hope & Education to Children Affected by AIDS

by Opportunity International

“Love for children is deep in my heart,” says Rosemary Namande of Uganda, affectionately known as Mama Rosemary. “God has blessed me with the ability to care for hundreds of them.” Forty years ago, Rosemary opened a school for infants in makeshift quarters. Today, thanks to tireless determination and Opportunity International loans, five permanent buildings house her elementary school and orphanage. Here Rosemary educates and cares for more than 900 children—many with discounted or free…

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On Black Friday, Avoid the Malls and Fight Global Poverty

by Opportunity International

Today, avoid the long lines at the mall, and give the gift that keeps on giving with a holiday gift card from OptINnow. Gift cards start at $10 and come in holiday packaging. The recipient goes tooptinnow.org, chooses an entrepreneur and then uses the gift card to fund a microloan. When the loan is repaid, it’s loaned again and again to help many more people build businesses, making it a gift that really does keep on giving. To buy gift cards, visit optinnow.org/giftcard. OptINnow Gift Cards…

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This Thanksgiving, What Are You Grateful for?

by Opportunity International

As you sit down to the Thanksgiving table this year, no doubt you’ll be thinking about what makes you thankful. Maybe you’re grateful for your family, your friends, good health, or a great Thanksgiving dinner. At Opportunity, our staff is grateful for these blessings but we’re also incredibly thankful for our clients. We feel privileged to partner with over two million hardworking people in more than 20 countries, offering them access to loans, savings, training and insuranceproducts that…

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Empowering Rwandan Women in Microfinance

by Jeffrey Lee

By Jeffrey Lee, CEO of Urwego Opportunity Bank (UOB) of Rwanda In Rwanda, gender equality is real. For example, more than 50% of the Rwandan senators are women. The chief justice is a woman. Approximately 40% of the state ministers are women, including the ministers of agriculture, of trade, of foreign affairs. Indeed, women are empowered in Rwanda. At UOB, we are also empowering women in several ways. To name a couple, more than 90% of our clients are women and 55% of our staff are women. Recently, Alice…

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