News Blog
Teaching Children the Power of Microfinance: Sidwell Friend’s School in Washington D.C.
The 6th graders at Sidwell Friend’s School in Washington D.C. eagerly welcomed Katie Smith Milway this morning, author of children’s book, One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference, a story that teaches children the power of microfinance to transform lives. This occasion marks the beginning of multiple events in D.C. this weekend as Katie prepares to receive the award for Best Book for Young Children on Saturday at the Children’s Africana Book Awards Ceremony. Thanks to Kids Can…
Read MoreOpportunity CEO Advocates Bottom-up Approach to Economic Development
In a speech on Thursday October 29th to the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations, Opportunity CEO Kadita “A.T.” Tshibaka cited many things he learned while working in emerging markets at Citibank and Lloyds TSB Group for over 35 years. One is that a bottom-up approach to economic development is generally the most effective. Kadita said, “We cannot only rely on national initiatives or macro-economic policies to foster the sort of growth and stability that these markets so desperately need.…
Read MoreLive: Roger Thurow Insists There is "Enough."
Roger Thurow and Scott Kilman’s compelling book Enough: Why the World’s Poorest Starve in an Age of Plenty tells the story of the world’s food. It raises the question of supply and demand, which is easy to understand even if you were not an economics major. There is enough food to feed everyone in the world. There are enough people to ensure that food gets produced and distributed. Then why are there people living with nothing? Thurow’s intent is to outrage, and to inspire. His goal is…
Read MoreLive From The Opportunity International Board of Governors Conference Fall 2009
It’s about encouragement. It’s about inspiration. It’s about coming together on behalf of those living in chronic poverty. The Opportunity International Board of Governors Conference brings Opportunity supporters from all over the country to one location for one common purpose: to serve the poor. They hear stories from the field, learn about new trends in microfinance, and discover how to share their own stories in such a way that they honor Opportunity’s incredible clients worldwide. This…
Read MoreLive: CEO Kadita "A.T." Tshibaka Kicks off the Board of Governors Conference
I have always admired Opportunity International CEO Kadita “A.T.” Tshibaka. He has a way of coming into a room and making everyone feel special. And blessed. And happy. And empowered. He is able to connect with everyone–from a client in the field to a banking executive. Today is no exception. “A.T.” (as he is warmly called by his colleagues, friends, and family) expressed deep gratitude for the involvement of Opportunity’s supporters, and opened the Board of Governor’s Conference…
Read MoreDaniel Taylor: Tell Me A Story
Hi! Let me tell you a story. Doesn’t your body, your soul just lean in a bit when you hear that? Oh please, tell me! Human beings live in stories. Today, Opportunity International’s Board of Governors begins its fall conference – Share her story, Change your world. Daniel Taylor, a professor of literature and writing at Bethel University in Minnesota and a supporter of Opportunity for over 20 years, kicked off the conference. “Stories,” he said, “are the way we make sense of the world.…
Read MoreHeartbreaking Effects of Typhoon Ketsana on our Clients & Staff in the Philippines
The capital city of the Philippines, Manila, has been devastated by typhoon Ketsana during this past week. The storm dumped as much rain on the city as fell on New Orleans during the Katrina hurricane in 2005. One month’s worth of rain fell on the city in the space of just 12 hours on Saturday, Sept. 26. Opportunity received this update from one of our Philippine partners. \"Eighty percent of the Manila metropolis and nearby provinces were severely devastated. Hundreds of our clients lost homes,…
Read More“There is nothing micro about the human spirit.”
This was a quote from the speech Maria Otero gave at her swearing-in ceremony as Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs yesterday. Maria spent over 20 years working in microfinance, and had been serving as CEO of ACCION International when she was tapped for public service. Maria made this comment in the course of sharing what she had learned from microfinance that she would take with her into her new role. In introducing Maria, Secretary of State Clinton declared that “There…
Read MoreInsight Trip: Tanzania Day 2 – Suzie Hofert
Today we met many different Opportunity International clients — each one unique in what he or she was selling. One of the clients was selling used clothing. He was such an inspiration because he was receiving his first loan and his goal was to use the profits to support his family, including seven siblings! We asked him if he had repeat customers and he said he did, so clearly he understood the importance of customer service. Different venders were coming around and watching as we stood around…
Read MoreTwestival: Social Media Enables Social Change
What’s this Twitter stuff all about? If you have a Twitter account (millions of you do), and you want to engage in social change, then Twitter may have just the event for you. Twestival Local, or Twitter-Festival, is an event that unites Twitter users offline to have a major impact on a social cause in their local area. Hundreds of gatherings take place in different cities around the world over a weekend span to raise awareness and funds for that city’s charity of choice. Twestival is completely…
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