News Blog
50 for 50: Origin Stories - Eastern Europe
Our Family’s History In the mid-1980s, our family’s global interest was growing. We had recently adopted two Japanese daughters when former board chair Dave Hardin introduced us to microfinance and Opportunity International in 1987. That year, we took an Opportunity Insight Trip to Guatemala and Costa Rica—and I was invited to join the U.S. board. I suggested a “2-for-1 deal” that would also include my husband, Ken. In 1990, we organized and led our own Insight Trip to Guatemala and Costa…
Read More50 for 50: Honoring World Hunger Day
In May 1971, thousands of people across the United States gathered in their communities for walks organized and coordinated by the American Freedom From Hunger Foundation—an organization that would go on to aid the United Nations Freedom From Hunger Campaign (NYT). Some people chose to run long distances, and others walked for hours behind them. The energy resembled the exhausted joy we now associate with modern charity walks. When the event took place in the early 1970s, nearly 35% of those living…
Read MoreExtraordinary Situations Demand Extraordinary Responses: Updates on the COVID Crisis in India
As the world is slowly opening up here at home, my friends and colleagues in India are facing the world's worst coronavirus outbreak yet. Countless families, including mine, have lost loved ones over the past few weeks. It's a devastating blow that comes on the heels of an impossible year. This current crisis comes in a season when we are all longing for hope. We are weary, and our faith has been stretched beyond what we ever could have imagined. For months, we have been talking about the mutually…
Read More50 for 50: Origin Stories - Latin America
In 1971, Opportunity International made its first loan to Colombian entrepreneur Carlos Moreno. Since that fateful first relationship, we have continued to provide access to loans, high-quality education, and financial training to thousands of entrepreneurs like Carlos. For 50 years, we have worked in Latin America, meeting families’ needs and building a community of support for our clients. We recently connected with Leddy “Mitzi” Machado Ariza, a long-time Opportunity Colombia staff member…
Read More50 for 50: Highlighting Refugee Families on the International Day of Families
When Johanna left Venezuela in 2018 headed for Barranquilla, Colombia, she had one goal in mind: a better future for her family. It was the first time she traveled abroad, and she arrived in Colombia as a refugee, facing a different culture, new people, and an entirely unfamiliar reality. Johanna thought she would be able to get a job in a shop, but she ran into persistent barriers and discrimination. Her status as an outsider made it hard for her to support herself and her children. Throughout our…
Read More50 for 50: Celebrating 7 Educators During Teacher Appreciation Week
Opportunity International's Education Finance program began by recognizing education as an integral part of reducing global poverty and inequality. This year, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has only emphasized education's critical place in our world and reminded us of teachers' extraordinary creativity, tenacity, and strength. They navigated school closures, attempted to teach virtual classes without reliable connectivity, and ensured that children continued learning amidst so many challenges. In…
Read MoreThe Book Club is going back to where it all began
Many of you joined us for our Virtual Insight Trip to Colombia last week. Thank you for being part of this special tour—and make sure to check out the recording if you missed it. This month, our Book Club is also traveling to Colombia through fiction, diving into a popular new novel about the very first country in which Opportunity International gave loans to clients 50 years ago! Experience the Andes mountains, the city of Bogotá, and the daily lives of one family navigating hopes, dreams,…
Read More50 for 50: An Inside Look at Our Field Offices and Partners
One of our favorite parts of Opportunity International Insight Trips is visiting Opportunity's offices and outposts. It is always eye-opening to see where our global colleagues spend their days and where they meet, serve, and train clients. We have all changed how we work over the past year—and most of us have changed the physical location where we work, too! So we're taking a look back at some of our past visits to Opportunity's field offices and partners, and counting down the days until we're…
Read More50 Years of Memories
For 50 years, Opportunity International has provided financial services, training, and support to families living in poverty—and built a dynamic global community of partners, supporters, clients, staff, and friends.From grand openings to Insight Trips to our very first clients, Opportunity's history is marked by moments of joy, impact, and celebration. Join us as we look back on the journey and celebrate the people who have walked alongside us.This video originally aired at Opportunity's 50th Anniversary…
Read More50 for 50: Listen and Adapt - The Allmans' Story
David Allman, a successful part of the real estate community in Atlanta, is known for his deep involvement in community development and his commitment to meeting local needs. Years ago, David befriended and listened to the lessons of Bob Lupton, an outspoken proponent of missions that are aimed at the beneficiaries' needs, not at the desires of the donors or volunteers (Toxic Charity). Lupton's philosophy struck a chord and shaped the Allmans' outlook on missions, philanthropy, and development moving…
Read MoreFilters
-
Categories
- 12 Days of Opportunity
- 50for50
- Africa
- Agricultural finance
- Agriculture
- Announcements and News
- Children
- Client Stories
- Clients
- Colombia
- Community
- Education
- Education finance
- Ending Poverty
- Entrepreneurs
- Events
- Financial services
- Fundraising
- Ghana
- Global Poverty
- Governors
- Insight Trip
- Insight Trips
- Kenya
- Leadership
- Loan Officer
- Loans
- MFI
- Malawi
- Microfinance
- Microinsurance
- OIC2011
- Opportunity International
- Opportunity International Microfinance Conference
- OptINnow
- Our Mission and Vision
- Our Work
- Poverty
- Rural Outreach
- Rwanda
- Savings
- Tanzania
- Technology
- Training
- Trust Groups
- Uganda
- Women
- Women's Opportunity Network
- YAO
- Young Ambassadors for Opportunity
-
Archives
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009