News Blog
A powerful book for Women’s History Month
Happy Women’s History Month! Here at Opportunity International, we are proud to honor women, celebrate their achievements, and draw attention to the barriers that still impact their ability to live the lives they deserve all year long. But every March, we take special time to pause and reflect—both on how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go. Worldwide, women remain underrepresented and unable to access equal opportunities for work, education, financial independence, and more. Through…
Read MoreGovernor Spotlight: Julie Wade
Julie Wade is a connector—one of those rare human beings who not only sees the potential of connecting one opportunity with another, but takes action to bring ideas and people together, creating a multiplying power that leads to something meaningful, effective, and exciting. Julie has worked and volunteered for nonprofit organizations throughout her life. When she and her family lived in Hinsdale, IL, Opportunity International’s headquarters were close to home. Almost twenty years ago, one of…
Read MoreThis is one memoir that will stick with you
Here at our headquarters in Chicago, the winter cold has us longing to curl up in a comfy chair with a hot beverage and a great book. So, this month, we’re picking up one of the most celebrated books of the season. In his powerful new memoir, Solito, Javier Zamora takes us along as he looks back on the life-altering 3,000-mile journey from El Salvador to the U.S. that he made at just nine years old. To reunite with his parents in the U.S., Zamora left behind his beloved grandparents in his small…
Read MoreStaff Spotlight: Dr. William Derban
When you hear Dr. William Derban speak about the transformative power of technology for our clients, you cannot help but ask “how?” He promises that by listening to the needs of people living in extreme poverty, there you will find your answer. Leading by example, Dr. Derban is laser-focused on providing human-centered solutions that keep the people we serve at the center of our work—solutions that can be scaled at an ultra-low cost and make lasting change in communities facing incredible obstacles.…
Read MoreToday is a day of celebration
“A waymaker looks out and envisions where a road could be cleared, where opportunities can be created. They see a chance to go where no one else is going to help their brothers and sisters—to help clear the way, so they can make their way.” Three years ago, we began a bold journey to go where others can’t or won’t. To reach out to those who have been left out or left behind. To help families build sustainable livelihoods, send their children to school, and create opportunities for themselves…
Read More5 Books We Loved in 2022
There’s nothing quite like exploring the world through the pages of great novels, memoirs, and stories. Every month, the Opportunity International Book Club expands our minds, perspectives, and understanding as we dive into a new book—and we are so grateful to read alongside friends around the globe. As author Jhumpa Lahiri famously said, “That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet.” We couldn’t agree more. As we step into a new year, we’re looking back…
Read MoreWaymaker Wednesday: Blanca
I met the father of my children. When I started a life with him, he began abusing me. He would hit, kick, and beat me. He would always say, “You will need me. You cannot live without me because a woman cannot live alone.” All those ideas had taken over in my head. I used to say, “It’s true. A woman needs a partner.” Today I feel completely different. Women can survive on their own. As long as you keep your eye on the goal that you have decided to fight for, you will get there. I am the…
Read MoreListening and Learning: Community Economic Development in Nicaragua
In the late 1980s, professors at Northwestern University proposed a new method of economic development. The premise was simple: What if we started with what a community had, instead of what it lacked? What if we leveraged a neighborhood’s existing skills, resources, institutions, partnerships, and people to advance the greater good? What might be possible if we centered our strategies on communities’ assets? Historically, economic development programs relied upon outside factors and third-party…
Read MoreEnd the year with a memoir
When the weather gets colder and the sun sets earlier and earlier each evening, we find ourselves reaching for enthralling stories—novels and epics that we can cozy up with and get lost in. This month’s Opportunity Book Club selection transports us through time and place, charting decades throughout history and across countries. This December, join us as we read The Country Under My Skin: A Memoir of Love and War by Gioconda Belli. Belli grew up as part of Nicaragua’s upper class, living…
Read MoreEmpowering the Next Generation
With over half its people under the age of 18, Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world. According to UNICEF, the number of children, adolescents, and youth is expected to increase to over 75 million by 2080. Harnessing the potential, drive, and energy of these young generations presents an incredible opportunity. It also promises to strain the education system and intensify the need for quality jobs. How can we help ensure that young people have access to the resources and the financial…
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