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Carol Stream, Illinois 60132

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© 2024 Opportunity Internationala 501(c)3 nonprofit. EIN: 540907624.

News Blog

You’ll be happy to revisit this classic

by Allison Kooser

In the midst of the back-to-school rush, we’re picking up a book that has a prominent place on high school reading lists—and for great reason. This month, join us as we read Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. The most widely read book in modern African literature, Things Fall Apart tells the story of Okonkwo, an Igbo warrior who fights to maintain his culture in the face of colonialism. Okonkwo’s fictional story paints a stark picture of the despair and loss that accompanied the fight for…

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50 for 50: Catalyst Award - Janelle Lassonde

by Opportunity International

As Opportunity International was first piloting its Education Finance programs, Janelle Lassonde served on the steering committee for the Banking on Africa campaign—helping us grow our footprint in a new region and establish banking infrastructure that would allow clients to not only borrow, but also save. Leveraging her professional experience as a banker in sub-Saharan Africa, Janelle brought a depth of wisdom and insight to this pivotal campaign. As she learned more about Opportunity’s goals…

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50 for 50: Trailblazer Award - Nathan Byrd

by Opportunity International

In May 2012, Opportunity International hired Nathan Byrd, a talented young leader who had previously served as Director of Operations for the International Rescue Committee in Kabul, Afghanistan, and VP of Strategic Development at Covenant House, to serve as the new head of Opportunity’s Education Finance program.  At the time, Education Finance was a small pilot program—and Nathan was tasked with designing both our strategy and the necessary financial tools to help more children access quality…

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Meet Cynthia Garrett: Entrepreneur, Advocate, and Woman Warrior

by Opportunity International

When TV host Cynthia Garrett boarded a plane to India to join a group of Opportunity International supporters, she didn’t know what to expect. “One of my greatest memories from that trip was our opening bus ride,” she recalls. “We were a group of women with very different experiences, and we started sharing our stories. We went very deep very quickly, sharing about who we are and how we came to be on that bus that day. And when you go deep like that, you learn quickly whether you’re surrounded…

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50 for 50: History of the Governors

by Opportunity International

Opportunity International’s Board of Governors is a dynamic community of people who care deeply about a world in which all people can achieve a life free from poverty, with dignity and purpose. As we celebrate Opportunity’s 50th anniversary, we are looking back at the history of the Governors—and the incredible people who have led and shaped this community over the years. 1987 - Gathering the Governors In 1987, one of Opportunity’s seminal founders, the late Dave Hardin, gathered a group…

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50 for 50: Looking Back at Youth Programs

by Opportunity International

In 2019, 16% of the world’s population was made up of youth (individuals aged 15-24). By stark contrast Africa, nearly 75% of the population is under the age of 35. And in the world’s poorest countries, the United Nations estimates that the population of youth will grow by 62% in the next 30 years.We have a chance to help stop the cycle of generational poverty so that the next generation can thrive.Opportunity International is committed to providing educational, financial, and vocational opportunities…

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50 for 50: History of Education Progress

by Opportunity International

Research shows that giving children access to a quality education reduces poverty and inequality, increases life expectancy, and gives women and girls more decision-making power. Put simply, education is one of the best tools we have to end generational poverty.  At Opportunity International, we invest heavily in schools and students through our Education Finance program. The work we do ensures that more children can access quality education, pursue their goals, and break the cycle of poverty for…

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Dive into a classic with us! Cutting for Stone by Abraham Varghese

by Allison Kooser

Back-to-school season might be right around the corner, but there is still time to squeeze in a few more summer reads with the Opportunity International Book Club!  Join us as we read an engrossing epic about twin brothers coming of age on the brink of revolution in Ethiopia.  This month, we’re reading the national bestseller Cutting for Stone by Abraham Varghese. Beginning in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 1954, Cutting for Stone follows Marion and Shiva Stone, twin sons of an Indian nun and a British…

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Inspiration from the Olympic Games

by Atul Tandon

For the past two weeks, I’ve ended each of my evenings catching up on the Olympics coverage from the day. The Olympic games—a once-every-four-years gathering of some of the most talented, tenacious, and inspiring people in the world—is rife with challenges, but it also reminds of the best of humanity. Watching people proudly carry the flags of their home countries, compete in events for which they have devoted years of training, and show good sportsmanship to teammates and competitors alike—it…

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50 for 50: Where are They Now? Nicaragua Graduates

by Opportunity International

“This is just the beginning—I have big dreams for the future.”  In 2016, Opportunity International celebrated the graduation of Emprendedora Technical High School’s inaugural class. Founded in 2012 in Granada, Nicaragua, the school is an integral part of Opportunity’s larger Community Economic Development (CED) strategy—one of the many innovative programs Opportunity International has launched over our 50-year history. With a unique curriculum that balances traditional high school learning…

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