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Carol Stream, Illinois 60132

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© 2026 Opportunity Internationala 501(c)3 nonprofit. EIN: 540907624.

News Blog

How Schools Develop Community Infrastructure

by Allison Kooser

This fall, we are exploring eduction around the world. Through a careful study of the Ahobrase Academy in Ghana, we are studying how investing in education transforms the lives of students, families and entire communities. Join us.  Do you remember your elementary school? Mine was a red brick building just down the street from my home. It housed our second grade classroom - the one with the extra-high ceiling - that we turned into a life-sized ship to learn about the Mayflower. The third grade…

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Learning about Opportunity at Vacation Bible School

by Allison Kooser

“When I grow up I want to be a dog!”  “Oh yeah, well I want to be pizza!” Everyone, kids are hilarious. This summer, I served as the missions teacher at Vacation Bible School at First Presbyterian Church of River Forest. For three days, I had the joy of talking to elementary school kids about global poverty – sharing with them the stories of some of the amazing students I have met in my travels, and discussing how their daily lives look different from our own.  We looked at pictures of…

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What We're Reading: Learning Unleashed in the Economist

by Allison Kooser

This August, The Economist included an article celebrating the power of private education in the developing world. It’s a topic that we know well at Opportunity International – and our shared belief that private schools can be major change agents has motivated us to invest in private schools throughout Africa. We believe that accessible, high-quality schools can make all the difference for students trapped in generational poverty.  And so when The Economist references “the fastest-growing…

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Meet Stella and Isabella

by Allison Kooser

Stella Rose Anyodo is a 16-year-old student at Tororo Girls’ School in Soroti, Uganda. She dreams of becoming a Civil Engineer – and currently loves studying physics! When Stella’s father stopped receiving his salary, Stella was on the verge of dropping out of school. Thankfully, her mother applied and received a school fee loan from Opportunity International, enabling her to keep Stella in school. Stella expressed her fears, saying, “I thought I was going to leave school because they grade…

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Introducing the Ahobrase Academy

by Allison Kooser

This fall, we are exploring eduction around the world. Through a careful study of the Ahobrase Academy in Ghana, we are studying how investing in education transforms the lives of students, families and entire communities. Join us.  I can't believe we are already in the back to school season. As the kids in my neighborhood gather their supplies, pack their backpacks and prepare for another year of learning, I can't help but remember my own education. I remember tough assignments and wise teachers.…

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Meet Rohit Dhake, Young Professional and Young Ambassador

by Allison Kooser

This fall, we are celebrating education by highlighting incredible students and teachers around the world - including our friends right here at home. This week, I chatted with Rohit Dhake, a Young Ambassador in Chicago and a current MBA candidate at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Rohit served as our YAO-Chicago co-chair and is a great guy to know!  Rohit, please introduce yourself! Tell us a bit more about who you are, what you do and what you like to do in your free time.  My…

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Three Cheers for Coffee and Chocolate

by Allie Zappia

While we appreciate sweet treats and caffeine here at home, coffee and chocolate are changing lives around the world! Coffee and cocoa are critical food crops that are empowering Africa to feed itself. In fact, in the first half of 2015, Opportunity disbursed 7,030 loans to coffee and cocoa farmers in Uganda and Ghana alone - and this number continues to grow as Opportunity helps more small-scale farmers harness their full potential. But what does this look like for farmers and their families? 1.…

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Vicki Escarra Featured Guest at cabi Bi-Annual Meeting

by Steve Nelson

Opportunity International Global CEO Vicki Escarra was a featured guest at the cabi bi-annual meeting recently in Orlando, Fla.  Cabi is America’s largest social-selling apparel company with approximately 3,400 Stylists nationwide. The Heart of cabi Foundation has partnered with Opportunity International to help thousands of women around the world rise up and create bigger, brighter lives through its W.E. are cabi program, which stands for Women Entrepreneurs Helping Women Entrepreneurs. During…

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Meet Sara Freer

by Allison Kooser

This month, we sat down with Opportunity Governor and Young Ambassador Sara Freer to learn a bit more about her and why she supports Opportunity International. Allison: Hi Sara! Why don't you tell us a little bit more about yourself? Sara: My name is Sara Freer. I work for New England Research & Management - an investment management firm headquartered here in Chicago. We manage all aspects of our clients' finances - from financial planning and asset allocation to the nuts and bolts of buying and…

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#TBT to MCON 2015 with CEO Vicki Escarra

by Allison Kooser

Last month, Opportunity International Global CEO Vicki Escarra took the stage as a keynote speaker at The Millennial Impact Conference (MCON). This year, MCON focused on influence - and featured leaders who are "activating people for good." Alongside other speakers like Daniel Lubetzky of KIND, Mark Roberge of O.A.R., Jonathan Neman of sweetgreen and Gary Knell of National Geographic, Vicki shared how her career has been one of influence - and how Opportunity International is changing lives around…

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