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News Blog

What We’re Watching: Last Chance to Watch Half the Sky Movement’s Documentary Online

by Emily Riemer

If you missed the chance to watch the tear-jerking, moving, and inspirational Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide when it aired on PBS last week, the videos expire in the next two days. Part 1 closes tomorrow (Tuesday, Oct. 9) and part 2 closes the following day on Wednesday. It’s a great opportunity to catch up on this wonderful series, and get inspired to empower women around the world. Episode 1 (Original Airdate: Monday, October 1)   Episode 2 (Original Airdate:…

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It’s World Teachers’ Day!

by Emily Riemer

“Take a stand for teachers!” is the slogan of World Teachers’ Day 2012 today, which UNESCO celebrates with its partners, the International Labour Organization, UNDP, UNICEF and Education International (EI). Opportunity is so proud to honor teachers like Rosemary Namande, who educates hundreds of kids at the Nadulu Infant Primary School in Kampala, Uganda, boarding many who are orphans, and taking care of a number with HIV/AIDS. Rosemary explains that “love for the children is down in my heart.”…

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What We’re Reading: CEO Vicki Escarra’s Post on Women, the Half the Sky Movement & Ghana in The Huffington Post

by Vicki Escarra

The following post, “Empowering the Bigger Half,” by our CEO Vicki Escarra was published on The Huffington Post on Thursday, Oct. 4. Nearly 2.5 billion people live on less than $2 a day, and I am astounded and truly horrified that in 2012, women represent 70% of this number. Knowing this statistic, it’s not a surprise that women disproportionately suffer from the chronic effects of poor nutrition, insufficient healthcare and limited educational opportunity. Historically, women face discrimination…

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What We’re Watching: Documentary Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide on PBS

by Opportunity International

We’re tuning in tonight to PBS to watch the long-awaited documentary, Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide. (Airing in two parts, tonight and tomorrow, October 1 and 2, at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT.) With Nicholas Kristof as your guide, as well as Sheryl WuDunn, Hillary Clinton, and activist celebrities America Ferrera, Diane Lane, Eva Mendes, Meg Ryan, Gabrielle Union, and Olivia Wilde, providing insight, emotion and expertise, the documentary promises to introduce…

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Spotlight on Tanzanian Mother and Baby on Child Health Day

by Opportunity International

In the past, if a family member needed healthcare, Theresia John Kombe of Pangara, Tanzania, had to sell one of her chickens to pay for it. But as a coffee grower with the Kilimanjaro Native Cooperative Union (KNCU), Theresia was able to join a MicroEnsure health plan that is connected to a network of clinics. Now, she pays an $8 annual premium that covers her whole family. That insurance coverage was vital one night when her baby, Loreen, was vomiting and had to be taken to the hospital, where she…

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What We’re Pinning: Dedication to Education

by Emily Riemer

Seventy percent of the 130 million children around the world who are not in school are girls. But with more education, girls marry later and have fewer children, the country’s economy improves and government corruption even declines! Those are just a few of the reasons why we’re so committed to educating kids around the world. Get inspired too with these pins on education. Education levels around the world. The joy of school! Never be discouraged from learning. USAID infographic on impact of…

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Get Revved Up! It’s National Coffee Day

by Lydia Baldridge Meier

Today is National Coffee Day in the U.S. and as baristas around the country hand out free cups of joe, we wanted to share with you the faces of some of the people who grow the stuff that fuels our busy lives! Josephat Nivin, in front of his home in Kinyamakobe, Uganda. Coffee farmer Teddy Namagembe, of Mubende, Uganda. Mubende coffee farmer Rapheal Kulumba with coffee cherries. Coffee cherries in a tree near Mubende. Meet Josephat Nivin of Kinyamakobe, Uganda Like many farmers in Uganda, Josephat…

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Nonprofits Stay Classy at Weekend in San Diego

by Ally Lynch

The CLASSY Awards, in San Diego last weekend, were all about partnership. I was there representing Opportunity International and joined by YAO – San Diego co-chair Mari Gottlieb as Opportunity’s Mother’s Day Global Opportunity Quilt was one of 64 Regional Finalists for the awards. Opportunity may not have won, but we were honored to be a part of this. It was an interactive, inspiring weekend hosted by Stay Classy and co-sponsors that included eBay, Event 360, Network for Good and more. The…

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Clinton Global Initiative 2012: Momentum on Women’s Empowerment, Global Food Security

by Opportunity International

The Clinton Global Initiative annual 2012 meeting wrapped up this past Tuesday. This year’s theme, Designing for Impact, provided a three-day podium for today’s leading ideas intent on creating more opportunity and equality in our increasingly interconnected world. This year’s distinguished attendees included President Barack Obama, presidential candidate Mitt Romney, President Joyce Banda (of the Republic of Malawi), former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, and President Felipe Calderón (of…

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What We’re Pinning: Today, a Message of Understanding with Pins for Peace

by Emily Terrell

Today, in honor of the UN International Day of Peace, we’ve created “Pins for Peace,” promoting messages of non-violence, understanding and compassion. Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said, “Poverty devastates families, communities and nations. It causes instability and political unrest and fuels conflict.” Opportunity provides financial services around the world because we know that when economies are strengthened, then peace, health and stability reign. Without stability and order,…

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