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News Blog

What We’re Reading: “The Silent Crisis” and Violence in Mozambique

by Opportunity International

In light of last week’s riots in Mozambique in which 13 people were killed, this post entitled “The Silent Crisis,” published on Opportunity Australia’s blog more than two weeks ago, has even more resonance. This prescient blog posthighlighted the concerns over food security and increases in food prices for economically marginalized people living in extreme poverty all over the developing world, including in India, the Philippines and a number of African nations. The blog reported: Global…

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Innovations in Technology–Reaching More Clients

by Emily Riemer

Daryl Skoog, Opportunity’s SVP of technology, develops innovations that improve the lives of our clients. Recently, I had the chance to join a conference call with the Colorado-based Skoog to learn about the exciting strategies and products he’s working on. Some highlights from the call: http://www.opportunity.org/blog/cell-phone-banking-examination/Cell phone banking[/intlink] is one of the most exciting tools to bring microfinance to clients, says Skoog. In Kenya, the M-PESA product, through…

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Back-to-School for Children Living in Poverty

by Opportunity International

Welcome back to school. It’s an exciting time for kids of all ages: new teachers, new classroom, new school supplies… maybe even new back-to-school clothes. But for children living in poverty, their access to even the most basic education is never a certainty.  Yet, education is one of the most vital development tools for economically marginalized individuals and communities. Access to educational opportunities can mean the difference between improving one’s future and mere economic survival.…

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Happy Labor Day to Our Hard-Working Clients

by Opportunity International

Labor Day in the U.S. is a century-old holiday–a tribute to trade and labor–that honors workers and their families. For Opportunity clients in the developing world, often self-employed entrepreneurs, providing for the future can be a difficult struggle. So on this Labor Day, we honor all of our clients who work hard every day to provide for their family. Here is the story of one such family: Noemi Gallegos and Jose Luis Barajas were raised in a small village called La Huacana, in Michoacan,…

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Book Release—UnPoverty: Rich Lessons from the Working Poor

by Opportunity International

People living in the most extreme poverty in the world do not just survive: they often enjoy rich family relationships, build vibrant communities and exude deep faith. Their ingenuity, persistence, generosity and self-reliance contain teachings for those of us who happen to have been born into relative economic stability. That is the inspiration and the theme ofUnPoverty: Rich Lessons from the Working Poor, a new book written by Mark Lutz, the senior vice-president of global philanthropy for…

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Want to do more to fight poverty? Host a dinner for microfinance.

by Opportunity International

The best ideas are shared over food. That’s why Young Ambassadors for Opportunity (YAO) is launching “Breaking Bread for Microfinance.”  In honor ofhttp://www.opportunity.org/blog/cynthia-world-hunger-post/International Poverty Eradication Day[/intlink] on October 17, http://www.opportunity.org/young-ambassadors-for-opportunity/YAO[/intlink] encourages you to host a dinner for family and friends. It’s a way for guests and hosts alike to share their ideas and their inspirations for global…

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Climb a Mountain, Get Muddy: YAO’s Adventures on OptINnow

by Opportunity International

Escape to Bear Mountain, N.Y. YAO-NY member Brandon Green, an investment banker, was looking for a way to get out of the city. So he decided to start a “YAO Adventure Club of sorts,” and brought a group of ten people up to hike on Bear Mountain, N.Y. a few weekends ago. “Everyone chipped in for the rental car,” he says, “and we donated those proceeds to help fund client Donasian Mbiry‘s loan in Tanzania through our YAO Adventure Club group on OptINnow. We got some cool pictures of…

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Agricultural Advisor John Magnay Talks Food Security in Africa, and How Agricultural Finance Can Feed a Continent

by Opportunity International

“Africa is capable of sustaining its food needs,” said John Magnay, Opportunity’s senior agricultural advisor. “[But] if you look at [crop] yields in Africa, it is at 40% of what it should be.” Magnay, a British-born, 33-year veteran of the agricultural development sector in Africa, has worked with several African governments to develop agricultural advancements, and now leadshttp://www.opportunity.org/Opportunity[/intlink]‘s agricultural finance program in Africa. His work is highlighted…

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What We’re Reading: World Finance Magazine Discusses Opportunity’s Agricultural Finance Program

by Opportunity International

Amosi Kasamira’s face lights up as he shares his plans for the next season. ‘My vision is to replace the grass roof of our home to better protect us from the sun and rain,’ he explains, ‘and I intend to cultivate ten acres next season.’ –Excerpted from: ‘There is Still a Lot of Work Ahead,’ World Finance, July-August 2010 (pp. 152-154) Amosi Kasamira and his wife heard about the agricultural finance program at Opportunity International Bank of http://www.opportunity.org/our-work/where-we-work/microfinance-in-africa/microfinance-in-malawi/Malawi[/intlink]…

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We’re Expanding Financial Access to Rural Malawi. Here’s How You Can Help.

by Opportunity International

Travel in your mind to the shores of Lake Malawi. In this remote region, extreme poverty is widespread. But because of the donations, hard work and advocacy of Opportunity supporters and staff, the Malawians here have been empowered financially. To reach the unreachable,http://www.opportunity.org/Opportunity International[/intlink] Malawi has replicated its successful “hub-and-spoke” approach by opening a hub branch office in the district capital Nsanje, followed by the most recent launch of a…

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