CHICAGO, IL – January 28, 2019– The Opportunity International family is mourning the loss of good friend and former colleague Mano Kamaleson. Mano was killed on Monday, January 14 as the result of a car bomb detonated near the Village Green compound in eastern Kabul, Afghanistan.  He was in the country serving as the chief executive officer of The First MicroFinance Bank in Kabul.

“Our mission – and Mano’s - takes us to difficult, dangerous parts of the world, and like Mano, we go willingly. The risk is always there, as are we, because God loves all his people, no matter how broken they may be. Let us continue Mano’s journey, serving the brokenhearted simply because we are called to,” said Atul Tandon, Opportunity International’s CEO. He continued, “Mano’s heart for others, especially those living in poverty, knew no bounds."

Friends with everyone, he sought to understand every person he met and loved them as individuals, as children of God. Never shirking from the many difficult places in which he worked, Mano always heard the needs of clients and willingly answered the Lord's call to serve them.”

Those who knew Mano were inspired by his consistent courage, commitment, and connection to others. He gave of himself freely, with a zest and love for life that was evident through his leadership, friendships, and dedication to the communities in which he resided.  His good works were a drop in the ocean, effectively touching hundreds and inspiring others to give of themselves.

During his eight-year tenure with Opportunity, Mano demonstrated effective leadership of Opportunity’s Kenyan financial institution where he executed a turnaround of the operation and navigated it through the 2007-2008 post-election crisis. He also provided significant assistance in establishing Opportunity’s institutions in Rwanda, Mozambique, and Ghana. The Opportunity team is incredibly grateful for all that Mano worked for and achieved while serving those who deserve grace and support the most.

Mano was born in Chennai (Madras), India to two deeply committed, believing parents. From age 11, he grew up in Arcadia, California and attended Azusa Pacific University. The Opportunity family extends their heartfelt condolences to Mano’s wife, Nicole, his three children, father Sam, and extended family. His legacy lives on in them and everyone who was fortunate to know him.

ABOUT OPPORTUNITY INTERNATIONAL

Opportunity International is a global microfinance non-profit committed to ending extreme poverty and promoting quality education for families in need. Since 1971, Opportunity has helped millions of families work their way out of poverty by providing financial resources, training, and delivering ongoing support to start small businesses, earn living wages, and feed their families. The organization provides loans to families seeking tuition and educators who want to improve local schools. In 2017, Opportunity International issued nearly $1.6 billion in loans, reaching nearly 9 million clients in 22 countries, and helped fund 1,800 schools serving more than 500,000 children. Discover more at opportunity.org or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jennifer Winter

312.487.5038 | [email protected]