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News Blog

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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50 for 50: Meet Tito Santa María

by Opportunity International

As we celebrate Opportunity’s 50th Anniversary, we are looking back at our history and remembering the clients who have inspired us along the way. One of the earliest recipients of an Opportunity International loan was Tito Santa María, a beekeeper in Colombia. We are honored to share his story. I’ve always said that the bees do a perfect job—all of the mistakes are ours. My name is Mr. Tito Santa María, and I’m a beekeeper. Thirty years ago, I took out a loan to run my own business from…

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50 for 50: The Opportunity International Book Club

by Opportunity International

For years, we’ve felt deeply that the path to knowledge and innovation starts with education. Reading, whether an academic journal or an international novel, has always been a habit that keeps us curious, inspired, and creative. In 2018, Opportunity International launched a new way to get involved, learn about the world, and connect with supporters: The Opportunity International Book Club. Inspired by small book clubs that had popped up among groups of donors around the country, the Book Club became…

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